This book will contain oneshots, short stories set in different scenarios with Arnav & Khushi as main protagonists.
A few of them might be Mature.
Index inside.
It was he worst new year's ever ever. Anjali and Khushi sat together on the bed in silence. The sound of cheers, crackers and loud music had died. The New Year was here. It was already two in the night clock. But the two couldn't find sleep.
"I always wanted a Bhabhi who would pamper me just like Bhaiya does." Anjali spoke staring at the wall ahead. Khushi glanced at her and then back at her hands. "Wanted to be her best buddy. I was so stupid Khushi. I ...I had everything sorted. But I started having those ugly feelings inside me. Bhaiya was right. I couldn't see you happier than me." Her words needed in sobs.
Khushi placed her left hand on Anjali's right hand. "He didn't talk to me for seven months, Khushi. We pretended as though everything was normal. I cried every night to sleep. It was then, that I realized I snatched away a very important part of his life only to cast it away. I always used to feel somewhere that what I did was wrong. What I did to you was wrong. Such a spoilt princess card I had played. But I had my ego and stubbornness. I didn't let my pride fall. Waited and waited. For Bhaiya to come back to me and apologize. My mistake or his, it's always him who apologizes." Anjali chuckled through her tears. "Was so stupid Khushi, that was how much I was important to him, he made me a princess. Until that day. He met with an accident." Anjali sniffed and Khushi's eyes widened and she turned to stare at Anjali.
"Those seven days he was bedridden were like torture, Khushi. The fear was the worst kind. The guilt was like hot coal being aimed at my heart. My stupidity was important to me more than Bhaiya. It was the worst night ever." Her words were now slipping between sobs. She bit her lips. "He is a angel Khushi. But got a Devil for a sister. That day I almost died.. guilt, horror, anger at myself. I was .. I almost killed myself Khushi. You were also not there. I swear if anything had happened to him...I.." Anjali broke into bitter cries and Khushi held her close. Her own heartache escalating. She wasn't with him when he needed her. While he had always been there for her in the smallest of her battles.
"He still didn't talk to me..I cried, I shouted, I begged. But then I just understood he'd never forgive me. Our life became stagnant. It was only on the day of Rakshabandhan he finally spoke to me." A small smile started appearing on her face. "It's been a while since then we both began doing the patch work. He asked me never to mention you again. I knew it wasn't because he hated you or so. But because he was trying to not remind himself of you. I tried looking for you so much Khushi. Riya, Krishna, Yuvi, Sharada, Jiya, all your cousins. Asked everyone, no one knew where you were."
Khushi lowered her gaze, "I ..never told anyone where I was." Her voice was soft. Anjali looked at her. "You love him, right?" Her voice was laced with fear. "I do." Khushi confessed in a light voice. Anjali immediately held her hands. "Please go back to him. If it's because of me that you're not going back to him I promise to never even be near you too. He needs you Khushi. He doesn't say but he is breaking everyday inside. Punish me I won't complain but please..go back to him."
Khushi looked away. Were her insecurities any relevant now? "You weren't the only reason why I left. It was my insecurities Anjali. I somehow never felt I was he best for him. I mean, he's the best. I was barely a mediocre. I always feared, I would not be...his choice for too long. After that day, I got an opportunity to run away. I took it. I was stupid too Anjali. I am sure he always knew it. He knows me to well that way. Fear is like black hole. It sucks you into it. It did so for me. Now when I see back I feel like I missed the best train. Stranded alone, it's easy to pass the day keeping yourself immense but at nights you realize how lonely you are. But, how do I go back Anjali? The guilt eats me up. I am scared. It's overwhelming, because it's like taking an about turn and walking back into past. The past which had demons. They will always be there. We can't erase the past or get away with the baggage it has given each one of us.."
"If you love him, then all that shouldn't matter right? You will find a way Khushi. Are you willing to trust him? This time with every cell in your being." Anjali looked at Khushi with hopeful eyes.
"How am I going to face him?" Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I've hurt him so much."
"I know that hard. But Khushi, if you don't, you will hurt him more." Anjali spoke. "Anyways I am no one to do the reconstruction when I was the one that destroyed everything the two of you had. I am sorry, Khushi. I know you and Bhaiya may never fully forgive me. But I want you to know that I love and respect both of you." Saying that she gave Khushi's hand a light squeeze and decided to retire to her room. When she suddenly stopped and turned back, "do you want me to stay?" Khushi who was aimlessly staring at nothing in particular blinked and nodded in a yes mumbling, "please." Anjali got back on the bed and hugged her. Khushi cried her heart out in her arms. She didn't know whether it made the load she had been carrying lighter. But her heart felt ease letting out those bottled up emotions of months.
* * *
"Bhaiya!" Anjali shouted panting as she finally caught up with him. Her eyes all puffy from the crying. "Where do you think are you going? Our flight is at night." Arnav looked at his sister through the dark lenses of his sun goggles. "I have some work."
"Bhaiya, please. I know me and Khushi have always taken you for granted but please..at least..." before she could complete he brushed her hand of his arm, "not a word Anjali. I don't care. Not any more." Saying that he walked ahead. Anjali sighed and decided to head back to Khushi's room and tell her he was gone. But when she reached her room, there was no sign of her. Anjali panicked calling out her name again and again. She picked up her phone to call him that's when she noticed a paper on he dressing table. She picked it up and a small smile curved up her face. "I will take care of your stubborn brother. Happy New Year." It read she immediately ended the call that was still trying to connect.
Arnav slipped into he back seat of the cab. His eyes looking around. Not a sign of her. Fine. If this is what she wants then she shall be well served. "Move driver!" He ordered. He had decided to head to Pune and stay there for a few days before returning to Mumbai. A part of him still cried, she still didn't care? What was she made up of?
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Would love to know what you think after this. I am focusing more on the present than the past hope that is okay?
