Thursday 3 March 2016

Chapter 20 - In This Moment it's Just Us

 ~
I want to be with you, 
it is as simple, 
and as complicated as that.
- Charles Bukowski 
~

He scrunched his eyes as the dazzling rays of the sun played on his face. She watched his serene face, a small smile on her lips as he moved his hand over his face to shield himself from the beautiful assault. She could watch him forever, the childlike innocence to his face that she rarely got to see, that she hadn't seen in years. Khushi felt light, free, as if all of her worries has been lifted and she could float like the clouds that the sky was so devoid of today. Her gaze moved over to her little girl, her most important possession as she slept serenely in her cot, undisturbed by the harsh realities of the world and Khushi sent a little prayer out that Arshia's life should forever remain that way. 

Khushi watched silently as he finally stirred, scrunching his eyes several times before his arm fell onto her side, as his hands began to search for her in the break of sleep. She decided to walk over and sit down on her side of the bed, let his fingers meet hers before his eyes finally opened. And that's all it took, a single gaze, glimmering hazel against molten soft caramel. She watched as a side of his mouth lifted, in that way that made her heart skip several beats. 

"Hi," she whispered slowly, as his fingers gripped hers tighter. 

"Hi," he whispered back, his husky voice playing with her every sense. 

"Good afternoon," she smiled. 

His eyes widened before he almost leapt out of bed, "what?! Oh my god! How did I manage to sleep in so late?" He questioned, looking at the clock. 

"I may have turned your alarm off," she smiled a small smile, still not quite sure of his reaction, a small corner of her heart still afraid of a sudden outburst. 

He watched her carefully, the small worry in her large hazel eyes and the smile that did not quite meet them. He'd always been able to read her so well why hadn't he opened his eyes earlier? He's have saved them all of these years of heartbreak.

"Thanks," he smiled as he walked over to grab his towel, "I really needed that," he chuckled before walking into the bathroom. 

She sat there for a little while, aware of the speed of her heart beat, the flush of her cheeks as she breathed a sigh of relief. It had been years since she'd last felt this way.

In the morning when you wake up 
I like to believe you are thinking of me
And when the sun comes through your window
I like to believe you've been dreaming of me

I know 
cause I'd spend half this morning 
Thinking about the t-shirt you sleep in 

When I saw you, 
Everyone knew 
I liked the effect that you had on my eyes

But no one else heard
The weight of your words
Or felt the effect that they have on my mind


****
"I need to speak to Dr Mehta," Aryan waited patiently on the phone, he'd been trying to get a hold of this doctor that seemed to have disappeared into thin air for the last half an hour.

Anjali walked over to Aryan, as he sat with his phone almost plastered to his face, clearly not pleased at something. 

"I thought you could do with some coffee," she smiled before placing the large mug on the table next to him. 

"That's actually perfect!" He grinned, I could do with a pitcher of coffee but I guess a mug will do for now," he joked as she broke into a laugh. 

He liked the way she looked when she laughed, with her head back, her eyes scrunched up, like a small child. There was a part of Aryan that wanted to dislike Anjali. After all this whole house had had a part in breaking apart his best friend but he couldn't bring himself to. Anjali was finally a woman that fascinated him, he'd had his fair share of girlfriends, one that he had almost married but no one had interested him as much as Anjali did. 

"I could bring you over a pitcher if you really need one," she smiled.

"No no it's fine just keep the mugs coming, that way I get to see more of you," Aryan smiled back. 

Anjali blushed a bright shade of pink, not quite sure how to reply just as she heard Arnav clear his throat in the background and she was glad for the interruption. 

Arnav had been observing their unusual camaraderie for quite some time. He'd always been protective of Anjali, and ever since Shyam he was even more vary.

"What's up chotey," Anjali questioned, her eyes inquisitive as she approached him.

He watched her face intently, trying to make sense of whatever it was that was happening between his Di and Aryan before replying, "nothing Di, I'm just going to head out, I've increased the security outside the house but just keep an eye out," he reassured her before walking out.

****
Anjali didn't have to think twice before picking up the unknown number that was ringing her. She walked into her room, making sure that there was no one in ear shot.

"I'm sure I told you not to phone me whilst I'm at home," she spoke sort of in a whisper as the man on the other ends lips curved up into a smile.

"Rani Sahiba you know I can't survive without listening to your sweet voice," his lies made her blood boil but taking a deep breath she continued. After all you always knew the risks when you decided to play with fire.

"Just get to the point Shyam," Anjali spoke through gritted teeth.

"Fine I need you to lure out Khushi," Shyam's face changed quickly, into a menacing grimace, not wanting to give away much to Anjali. He didn't trust her just yet.

"I'm still working on it," she replied cryptically, not wanting to give anything away to anyone.

"Well hurry up," he snarled before cutting the phone call.

It took Anjali a few more minutes before her breathing returned to normal and rapid beating of her heart calmed down.

Khushi stood stock still for a few seconds, not quite sure what she had eavesdropped on, if she'd even heard the name correctly. Hearing fast approaching footsteps she hurriedly walked away.

****

Khushi sat on the edge of the bed, their bed as she let her eyes wander around their room, a room which had pretty much remained undisturbed in all these years. There were still little glow in the dark stars on the ceiling, where she'd stuck them all those years ago in a last ditch attempt to make a home out of the place. Some of the clothes she'd left behind like the sari she'd worn the night before she'd left still remained neatly folded in the wardrobe. She walked over slowly to her bag, still in two minds over whether she should unpack. They seemed to have crossed a bridge of sorts and a large amount of normalcy had returned almost over night.

She'd woken up in the morning gasping for air, the blur of her memories playing out in her mind. She'd looked around the room, the cot in the corner with Arshia sound asleep, the pool area so devoid of his plants and yet still had not been able to prevent the fear of history repeating itself creeping up on her. She'd tried to move out of the bed, do anything to reassure herself that he wouldn't ask her to leave all over again when the weight of a warm arm had weighed her down. His words had played back in her mind then, and the innocence that overtook his face when he slept had prevented her from breaking down all over again.

"Hey baby," she smiled just then as she felt small arms go around her leg, bending down to pick up her beautiful angel. Her long curls framed her face as Arshia smiled back at her, clapping her small hands in glee.

"Do you wanna help Mamma unpack?" She cooed kissing her soft cheeks as Arshia giggled in return.

Arnav paused at the door, a smile already creeping upon his lips. He felt he could watch them forever and never tire of it.

"Should Mamma unpack?" Khushi giggled back with her little girl as she tickled Arshia.

"Mamma should definitely unpack," she paused for a second, she'd never been able to resist that husky voice of his, especially now that she knew that he had always loved her.

She let her eyes lift up to his face as he walked to stand in front of her, sparkling hazel against molten caramel orbs.

"Are you sure?" He could still see the fear that rested in a corner of her heart, a part of the Khushi that he'd torn apart.

He let their gazes meet for a few seconds, the sincerity in his eyes something she could no longer dismiss before he took Arshia, "we'll help you," he smiled that lop-sided smile of his as placing Arshia on the floor he began to lift her clothes out of her bag.

She hesitated for a few seconds before bending down to take the clothes he handed from him, their gazes colliding, the sincerity within them no longer a secret. Khushi wasn't quite sure yet whether she wanted to tell him about what she may or may not have overheard. She decided to keep it to herself until she was sure instead.

There were things that Arnav wanted to ask her, things that still gave him nightmares. He wanted to right his every wrong, cherish her, love her till there was no more love left inside of him and then some more, he wanted to know about the things that hurt her, the things that made her happy. How much had she changed, how much did she think he had? But he would have to leave those for another day, for now he would tread carefully, for now he had to make these moments count.

I know 
cause I'd spend half this morning 
Thinking about the t-shirt you sleep in 


3 comments:

  1. What is khushi gonna do now... Hope she talks to someone ,even anji abt wht she heard

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful story! So glad to see you back among your stories..
    Sorry to keep this short, but I would like to come back & re-read the story..will leave my comments in detail then. Take care & thank you!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh wow! Welcome back:)! I hope Khushi tells Arnav everything and not keep secrets anymore. I love the closeness and the understanding between them. Anjali needs to grow up! Please update soon:)!

    ReplyDelete

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BeyondTheStars
I have too many stories in my head and sometimes I just need to put them out there for people to read. Fanfic writing was an idea that I hadn't considered at all until coming across some really good ones on India-Forums so my writing is an affect of too much IF trolling on lazy revision days. I get bored easily from studying (which I do too much of) and writing helps me relax. My life involves a whole load of drama so the twists and turns in my stories will show the effect of that. Anyway hope you enjoy the Arshi fanfics I send your way :).
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