Arshi OS - Alive

Saij ... I wanted to give this to u only on April 16th but unfortunately family functions came up so yeah I have to open the surprise early. 

I dont know how this turned out , but since its ur bday u know I cant just let it go like that. 

Happy Bday big sister  

for always being my perf elder sister ... for being my best friend ... for being one of the biggest strengths in my life .. for always being there. 

I love you  

banner credit to Tammy 

Note to all readers : this OS basically revovles around Arshi's Heer-Ranjha track. its April and so yeah its the month of Heer-Ranjha. the events have been slightly modified, just added a bit of my imagination to it but the main plot remains the same.  

It was a full moon night and the stars added to the glory of the night, far from Delhi, far from Raizada Mansion, they were at the place where life had started out for him, the place where they were both born, they were in Lucknow, they were in Sheesh Mahal.

Arnav looked around their room, it had been re-decorated to resemble their room in Shantivan, with the poolside, the French windows , the gardens. Somehow for both of them, their idyllic bedroom was also home to their love story, they have so many memories attached to the room that they were both unwilling to go without it when they shifted base to Lucknow.

And tonight as he waited for his wife to join him, his mind wandered back years, to that fateful evening when he had literally told her what she meant to him, the evening where she played Heer and he became Ranjha. At that time neither of them had realized the implications or depth of their words, they thought it was just mere dialogues but as he recited each one of those words, despite the assumed hatred towards her, every word had fallen from his heart and she absorbed it.

And today as he looked back to everything they had to face to reach till this point, he knew their life was nothing short of magical .. Arnav & Khushi .. they are meant to be and always will be.

Just then he heard the jingle of her anklets, a sound that went with her wherever she went, a sound that announced her presence, and he turned towards her with a smile which she returned in equal measure, clad in a skin color transparent sari, adorned only in his mangalsutra and sindoor, her tresses flying in the air, she was nothing short of an angel .. his angel. Closing the door and locking it, she reached for his outstretched hand and went willingly into his arms.

They stood there for long, listening to their heartbeats, tonight he wanted to tell her everything that was always in his heart, which she always understood but he knew she craved to hear it from him, tonight he would tell her, the man of few words would speak today. He took her to the poolside where he had laid out a soft mattress and blankets, gently he lifted her in his arms and placed her down, lying down next to her, he pulled the blankets, wrapped himself around her, shielding her from the chill of the night.

" remember the date Khushi ?? " asked Arnav as Khushi looked at him confused. Smiling at her he replied without making her wait too much , " 9 years ago .. this very evening ... we played Heer & Ranjha. "

Realisation dawned on Khushi, her eyes misted as she thought about the fateful day when her husband had bared his heart only to shield it again too quickly,

" I know what you are thinking, in all ways possible, that was the day when I truly confessed my love even without saying the 3 important words, and you knew it wasn't Ranjha speaking to Heer, it was Arnav talking to Khushi, telling her he couldn't live without her. Ever since the day you fell into my arms, I have fled from you Khushi, as far away as possible,

You

Your love

The possibility of a life with you

After all the mishaps in my life, everything you had to give me seemed like the forbidden fruit for me.

You were too pure ... too beautiful ... too ethereal.. for me to even think about. I was too scared to taint you with the mistakes in my life.

But even then that evening, despite the hatred, the pain, the denial, I bared my heart but I closed it again. "

Arnav fell silent when he saw the tears that misted in her eyes, she cupped his face,

" why now Arnav ?? why talk about all this when we have come so far ? "

He caught her hand in his and kissed it lightly, "because it's hightime I spoke Khushi, you have always understood my heart in it's silence, but you deserve to hear it from me, atleast once I want to tell you how much I love you. "so don't stop me today. " her gripon his fingers tightened as he shifted to lay her head over his heart, as she let her husband speak.

" the evening passed, the days passed , but I broke your heart again in my ignorance. Despite knowing , despite my heart telling me how wrong I was, I walked away from you. The London trip, I was running away from you, my stupid brain as always messed up, assumed that the trip would give me the space to forget you, hate you if possible so that when I come back, I could end everything between us and then throw you away from my life, assumed that we could go back to hating each other. You could have your old life back while I went back to my life of mistakes and ruthless darkness.

But the minute my fingers left yours and I walked away, the pain crushed my heart Khushi, I couldn't push the trolley, my feet lost the strength to walk away from you into a life where I intended to kill your memories, I was walking closer to my old life, a life that held nothing but dark memories of pain and deceit and fake relationships, I was walking away from love, love that you held out for me, love that you wanted to give me and  halfway into the airport, I turned back, my heart wept Khushi, I needed you to wrap me in your delicate embrace, I wanted to be home in your arms Khushi.

But life had other plans, we had to be separated, we had to live through the darkness to know where our true happiness was.

The chance I got to tell you, maybe my one last chance I thought it would be, I told you what I had to ... I love you. "

As he spoke, Khushi's heart tightened in the fear that she had buried away as she remembered those days without him, she had their family around her but his absence had seemed to choke the life out of her, it had been impossible to live through each painful second ...

Arnav continued speaking,

" but you rescued me again Khushi , you came for me when all hope was lost, you gave me the will to live , you reached out for me, that night with you , the little time we got, I knew then that I would do anything it took to come back to you, and again you found me, when we came back, problems upon problems awaited us, the deceit was revealed, the truths had to be faced, the decisions had to be taken and we did.

But the accusation and mistrust didn't stop, my own family failed to understand me, to understand us, my whole life was about my sister and yet she chose her deceiving husband over me, she lied to me, boiled and cooked stories just so that she could meet him in secrecy, their clandestine meetings continued right under our noses, to the extent that she got her child killed and our wedding jeopardised.

I know you wanted me to forgive her Khushi, she had lost her child, you wanted me to forgive her, and I did. But I could never love her the same Khushi, and can you blame me ?

Unconditional love is given to those who give you the same love back and till date in my life, you are the only one who loves me unconditionally, you were with me even when I didn't deserve you. And I am telling you again Khushi ... its with you I have my home and no one else.

Di knows the reality of her life today but she will not have me back like before, I love her and I will protect her but our relationship waned that fateful day when her lies threatened to mar our wedding, it waned the day she and her lies cast a dark shadow on our love, when it threatened the reason for my existence. "

Khushi closed her eyes as Arnav placed a light kiss on her lips before continuing,

" but the troubles didn't end there, my past had to return, a lingering trail of the family I left behind returned in the form of Dadi, and again Di's trusted love was the reason, Dadi tried to rouse guilt in me by revealing our pasts, the inextricable links that connected us, she made it look like a crime for me to love you ignoring the past but Dadi never understood the intensity of my feelings. She expected me to hide in the mistakes of a past life I had always wished to erase.

The reality in my life is that no matter how many reasons the world puts up against our togetherness, I will always love you Khushi and only you.

Your family had all the rights to take you away from me, after everything that happened. All the pain that I gave you, leaving you, making your life hell, hurting you beyond repair, Nani and Mami supported us but they are from my family, but to have your family supporting us when they could have taken  you and given you a life that was less complicated and more happier with someone else, they had the right to do it but they didnt and ... "

"and they didn't because everyone in my family could see that I could love only you. They knew I didnt have a life without you ... I could only exist with you Arnav ... I would never be the same without you .. I would never be complete ... I would never be ALIVE " said Khushi as kissed him lightly.

And the memories rushed through, Arnav spoke,

"when we thought that things had settled down, as life moved on, the disaster didn't end, Sheetal arrived with Aarav. A scandal that could tear us apart, tear our entire lives down, when we refused to fall into her trap, she went public, she went to the media, ASR's illegitimate child, his love child she called Aarav.

The media celebrated, the very media who celebrated our marriage, who call Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada as the angel in ASR's life called you a witch who kept a father away from his son, they accused you of being a home wrecker, those days were dark days Khushi. Even today I do not know how we faced the storm but you were my anchor, you stood firm by me, together we worked through the lies that Sheetal had spun around us.

But we proved it in court , we proved her truths to be nothing but blatant lies, we exposed her planned trap and the Sheetal chapter was closed.

I never understood from where you got your courage Khushi to fight it all out even when I broke down, when I felt life coming to a standstill ... "

Khushi interrupted him , " I got my strength from you Arnav, from your love, from the truth that no matter what happened, your love for me is true and this truth gave me the courage to beat all the odds together with you, I knew you would never abandon me or our love against the darkness. "

" and here we are today Khushi ... in Sheesh Mahal, where it all started for us. Once again you gave me the strength to go back to where I came from, where we came from, where our journey began.

I never thought I would return to the place where only dark memories existed. I never wanted to but you wouldn't let me run away, you took me back to my roots, you made me find happiness in everything that I once thought I had to give up because of the pain it had given, you brought me home Khushi, and you rebuilt our home again.

The day you agreed to join AR and work along with me, Khushi it means the world to me because, everything that I am today, everytime the world recognises my achievements, the achievements of a self made man, I want the world to know that you are the woman, the force behind the mighty ASR, I want the world to know that ASR is born out of an Arnav who belongs to Khushi, that ASR is completed by KASR, the world knows today that if ASR is an international icon then its only because of the demure angel who fell into his arms on that fateful night in Sheesh Mahal. "

Arnav shifted slightly so that he could face her, he cupped her face and brought his lips closer to his, his words only for her to hear, his lips caressing hers,

" I love you Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada.

For the life you gave me.

For the love you shower on me unconditionally.

For giving birth to my children.

For building our home together along with me.

For making me believe in my heart.

For erasing the darkness in my life forever.

For making me walk away from my wretched past.

I love you Khushi for taking me home with you.

I love you. " and he took her lips is a soul searing kiss, a kiss through which he intended to reiterate all his words and that he did and much more.

Hours passed and in the middle of the night, Arnav & Khushi content being wrapped around each other made their way towards the place that held their world of love personified in beating pulsing life.

They gently opened the door to find their world sleeping blissfully, the 4 lives they had created together, tangled around each other just like how their mother tangled would tangle around their father, Arnav always used to joke that their children had inherited their mother's sleeping habits to the T.

Their youngest angel, aged 2 was sleeping in the baby cot surrounded by her siblings sleeping on bed placed around the cot, forming some sort of an imaginary shield against their youngest sister. Arnav loved his children as much as Khushi did but he had always stated flat out that their kids would have to learn about sleeping on their own, and he had 2 reasons, one he wanted them to be independent on their own 2 feet in every way possible and this applied to all facets of their lives and second for a more selfish reason that he could never share his wife , his Khushi with anyone else in the warmth of the night, not even if it was for his kids, their kids had her attention 24*7 in the daytime and so it was justified according to him that he had her attention through the night.

Watching them for a while, placing light kisses on their forehead, Arnav & Khushi made their way back to their rooms to finally catch some sleep.

The night soon passed, bringing with it a new dawn, life continued as always for the Raizadas, the beautiful stretch of lawns in front of Sheesh Mahal which Arnav and Khushi had remodelled, raising high walls around their home so that the world wouldn't invade their privacy, was now the playground to their children and Khushi sat on the swing watching them enjoy their childhood with a serene smile on the face, she gently pulled back as she felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her waist, gently leaning into the warmth of her husband's arms, his voice whispering in her ears,

" Heer-Ranjha may have had a tragic end and we played them onstage but that doesn't mean there is a curse attached to anyone who enacted their roles , because we did and our life today is another day of our beautiful forever Khushi and our love story is even more beautiful than Heer -Ranjha or any other love story for that matter.

Heer Ranjha died together ... "

" But Arnav-Khushi lived together forever and ever " completed Khushi as she turned around and kissed her husband full on his mouth, uncaring of the fact that their children were rushing towards them.

They jumped onto their parents lap who immediately wrapped them all into their hug as they hugged and cuddled each one of them, from faraway it was a beautiful sight to watch.

Sheesh Mahal, the birthplace of their love against the backdrop, the beautiful gardens surrounding them, Arnav & Khushi on their well landscaped porch , lost in their world and their lives which they had created and nourished together.

And they lived happily ever after.

Picture Perfect.

Together Forever

ALIVE.

Arshi OS - Love Abandoned

Saij ... I wanted to give this to u only on April 16th but unfortunately family functions came up so yeah I have to open the surprise early. 

I dont know how this turned out , but since its ur bday u know I cant just let it go like that. 

Happy Bday big sister  

for always being my perf elder sister ... for being my best friend ... for being one of the biggest strengths in my life .. for always being there. 

I love you  

banner credit to Tammy 

Har ishq ka ek waqt hota hai ... woh hamara waqt nahi tha ... par iska yeh matlab nahi ki woh ishq nahi tha. - Jab Tak Hai Jaan 

It was the day they had been waiting for so long, their graduation .. eagerly awaited after years of dedicated hardwork and unrelenting passion towards their goals. He had his Masters Degree now and also secured a position as a junior scientist in a leading research organisation, She had her dual degree in Psychology and Sociology and was well on her career as a social worker  BUT all this happiness came with a price or so they believed.

As they walked hand in hand through the front lawn of the home they and their families had shared since their childhood, neither of them were too happy or excited. The thrill of adventurous careers were subsided now as they tried to decide on how to make the most difficult decision they had ever had to take in their lives. They had known each other since the day they could remember, their fathers were the best of friends, inseparable and so were their mothers, such was their bond that the 2 couples had decided to live together as a single family.

And now as their children, they had grown up together, friendship bloomed like an evergreen tree, love had happened naturally, as though they had been 2 halves of the same soul but today as they faced their lives ahead, they had to let it all go and walk away in the opposite directions, their careers poles apart as anyone's could be.

She had her head on his shoulder as they walked listlessly, trying to prolong this moment, their parents watched them sadly, knowing the inner turmoil their kids faced but they were helpless because they knew that their kids were right in their choices.

Eventually she stopped walking and turned to look at him, a sad smile on her face, her eyes already longing to be engulfed by him, Arnav cupped her cheeks and leaned his forehead onto hers,

" Khushi !! " he whispered, the serenity of her name washing over him, trying to calm his erratically beating heart,

" Arnav , why does it hurt so much ??

I don't think I have the strength to do this, I can't walk away Arnav.

I never learned to live without you " said Khushi tonelessly as Arnav's tears threatened to betray his inner agony but he steeled himself for what he knew was the most cruel moment of their lives,

" I know princess ... neither have I learnt.

But we need to do this love ... for the sake of our love we have to.

We both know that once we start our careers, we will never have time for each other. We both have selected challenging careers, there is no time for our personal feelings in it. If we stay together for long then one of us might even sacrifice our careers for our love but where will that leave us Khushi ?

We will start regretting this emotion we treasure so much, and I can't let that happen Khushi.

Your love is a priceless treasure for me and I won't let human flaws taint it ever. In a life where we both wouldn't have time for each other, we can't let our relation be a bondage for us.

There is so much in life that we both have to do and amidst all this, there is no Arnav & Khushi. "

Khushi felt her heart breaking all over again as she heard him speak, she knew he was right, this was a mutual decision for them and now they had to go through with it,

" I will live the rest of my life carrying your love in my heart Arnav ... there is no place for anyone else. Maybe miles apart from you but your love will always be my strength , you my best friend and soulmate forever. ! "

Arnav placed his fingers on her lips,

"Hush Khushi !

I don't want you to live a life of solitude in my memories, if you find someone you like then don't let our love hold you back, follow your heart Khushi. "

Khushi stared at him long, she had only question for him ..

" will you be able to promise me the same Arnav ? "

As soon as the words left her mouth, he looked away from her eyes, shading his tears from her, his silence was her answer, he knew there was no one other than Khushi whom he could love.

Khushi pulled him into a fierce hug, the floodgates opened, they cried in each other's arms, making their goodbyes, raining kisses and caresses on each other, hugging themselves tighter, trying to freeze this moment forever, Khushi spoke amidst their tears,

" drive me to the airport Arnav. Its time to for me to go. "

They walked back to their homes, their parents blessed them tearfully, knowing the agony that was killing their children. Arnav drove them to the airport, his flight was one hour after Khushi's. They walked in together, cleared all the formalities and were in the boarding lounge. Silence prevailed but their hands intertwined.

Soon the boarding call for Khushi was announced, she got up and picked her bags, already lifeless, Arnav stood and turned to face her, placed a silent kiss on her forehead and then he pecked her on her lips, taking her hands, he silently kissed them ..

" my heart is always yours Khushi.

Bye "

And just like that, he let her go and turned her around to face the boarding gate. Khushi didnt turn back or call him, she didnt have the strength to look at him, she knew she wouldn't be able to leave if she did, her resolve was already melting.

And so she walked away while Arnav watched her go with expressionless eyes.

5 years later.

Washington D.C .

Arnav frowned as he examined the latest test results, he had been working for the past 8 hours non-stop but the results were frustrating him, the docking results weren't upto the identity percentage they were aiming for, without the therapeutic potency required, these new formulations would be of no use for the drug targets in their current project.

He tweaked the parameters again and set it up for another run before going out of the lab to grab a drink. As he walked out, his phone rang and he answered on the 1^st ring,

"Arnav speaking .. who is this ? "

Lara , his lab partner replied back excitedly,

" Arnav, its me Lara, sorry I am calling you from a payphone, I was just too excited that I couldn't wait till I reached there.

You have been granted permission to travel to Johannesburg !!

The  NGO handling the AIDS patients welfare has just contacted the director, they read through your detailed letter asking for permission to collect the samples of the children there for our research and finally they have granted permission.

You can fly out the very next morning if you wish ! "

Arnav's face broke out into a wide smile as he savoured the news, he smiled very rarely and so his co-workers were astonished seeing him so happy. Arnav thanked Lara and went to meet the director to make the travel plans.

He had been working for 6 months now on this project but none of his research was yielding the right results, he badly needed the blood samples but the NGO had been a tough nut to crack, they were wary of research teams who collected blood samples on the pretence of drug development and then later on used for unethical medical practices, genetic crimes were quite common these days and Africa was a vulnerable hotspot for medical crimes, Arnav understood their concerns but he knew this was urgent so he had patiently communicated with NGO people over the past few days, their director had been tough, a woman but her identity wasn't known, for security reasons, all their communications were done in the name of their designations alone.

And now luck had finally favoured him.

Hours later, at his apartment, he had just finished packing, he was flying out the next day morning, as he laid down to sleep, his thoughts went back to her, it was always her.

It had been 5 long years and they hadn't contacted each other even once other than to let each other know that they had reached their destinations safely. He had never requested information about her even from their parents with whom he still kept in touch, he had never gone back home, research had become his life, his dedicated passion and keen aptitude had seen him rise in ranks, his research was a cornerstone for the company he worked for, but for him, his research helped his agonized heart forget the memories that always threw him into a hellish abyss. Despite the career success he had attained, his life remained as empty and cold without her, nothing in his life felt complete without her.

To make up for her absence, he had started writing daily accounts of his everyday life, as though it were meant for her to read, addressed to Khushi, he wrote them and kept them aside, never reading them again but he never stopped writing. His lonely heart cried out for her even now with the same intensity and need.

He set his alarm, and as always, gazed lovingly at their photo kept at his bedside and drifted off, a soul as lonely as anyone can be.

Johannesburg.

Faraway, Khushi heaved a sigh of relief as she gulped down her glass of water. The day had been hectic than expected but she was used to it and she thrived on it or better to say she needed it. Just as she was about to take a small walk, she heard her name being called and ran out as always. She saw a new baby being brought in by her team, they informed her that the baby had been found abandoned, the local doctors had tested the baby HIV positive and now she was with them to be rehabilitated.

She gently took the little black beauty in her arms, a tiny girl of barely a year old, Khushi cooed to her affectionately as she tended to her, hours later the baby was fast asleep in her arms. Placing a gentle kiss on its forehead, Khushi placed her in the cradle and went out to finish other pending work. Her assistant Ryan had managed most of the preparations for the research time arriving tomorrow already. Satisfied with the work, she walked back to her apartment which was next to their NGO building.

Now in her room, her heart echoed the pangs of another heart that was faraway in a dreamless sleep. The NGO was successful in its mission and it was mainly Khushi's handwork. This relentless social service was the only way she could forget the love that haunted her, but in the loneliness of her room, she was Arnav's Khushi again, her heart bleeding for him, everything in her life felt worthless without having him to share it with yet she had never broken their pact, she had never tried to contact him. All she did was pray every day for his happiness and health, a wish that at least in their next life, they wouldn't have to part.

The next day dawned bright and happy, by mid afternoon Khushi  was absolutely engrossed in setting up everything ready for the research team, and now she was satisfied with her work, she instructed Ryan to guide the team to her office when they arrived, she wanted to take a quick nap in the meantime, removing her coat, she left it on the couch and gently drifted off to a light sleep on her armchair.

Meanwhile Arnav and his team after reaching Johannesburg had been escorted to their hotel, once they were settled in and rejuvenated, Arnav immediately insisted on being taken to the rehabilitation camp.

Ryan received him at the office,

"welcome Dr.Raizada !!

I am Ryan, one among the volunteers here, come along sir, Ma'm is expecting you in her office "

Arnav smiled at Ryan as they shook hands,

"Ryan .. pleasure to meet you.

Please .. call me Arnav. That will do. "

Ryan shook his head in affirmation as he led Arnav to her office, it was quite a walk and they got talking,

" Ryan, I must say how relieved I am that our lab finally got permission to collect the samples, it was urgent for our work and without that none of our results would have therapeutically effective.

Thank you so much for the cooperation and for having us here"  said Arnav as they entered the lawn that led to her office but Ryan brushed away his thanks with a wave of his hand,

"please Arnav, it's we who should be thanking you instead for the genuine interest you show in the study. You see Ma'am was sceptic at first only because she is well aware of the manipulations and crimes that take place in the scientific community and she didn't want to expose anyone here to that sort of a trauma, they have already been through so much, unwanted by their family, discarded by the society, their existences would have been pathetic if it wasn't for the various NGOs working here.

But once Ma'am saw your work and she communicated more with you through your emails, she was ready to trust you, I still remember what ma'am told me the day she gave the green signal for your work, she said she could sense someone who was truly dedicated to his/her work, someone who was passionate about their work, someone of a truly genuine heart, she said you reminded her of someone she had known since her childhood, someone she had loves ... "

Ryan flushed a bright shade of red as he immediately realised that he had been blabbering too much to Arnav who was practically a stranger to him, but he somehow couldn't help warming up to Arnav, there was genuine love and compassion in his eyes that couldn't go amiss,

"sorry Arnav. I have been chattering away non-stop and that too about someone you are only about to meet. Anyway we have reached the office, Ma'am is inside the cabin at the far end, you carry on while I go back to the camp and get them all ready for your work. " said Ryan before he quickly hurried off leaving behind Arnav who was absolutely confused and if he might admit, nervous.

Ryan's description on his lady boss, about what she had felt about him, it reminded him of her, like she was reaching out from an abyss for him, he walked in and saw the cabin at the far end but all he could feel was her essence,

Could it be her ??

Was she waiting for him behind those glass walls ??

Was it her that he had been talking to all this while ??

Arnav shook himself reprimanding himself for his wayward thoughts, no she had gone away long ago, he himself had let gone of her, there was nothing else left for them.

He reached her door and knocked twice, but there was no response, he waited a little, annoyed by the fact that he was made to wait despite having announced his arrival, when a decent amount of time had passed, he slightly pushed the door and entered, his eyes fell on the sleeping figure in the armchair and that was it.

Time came to a standstill.

He couldn't move.

He couldn't breathe.

He couldn't utter a single sound.

There she was, in front of him, lost in sleep, as beautiful as ever, as how he had always remembered her.

She hadn't changed one bit, maybe she had become more beautiful but she was exactly how he had last seen her.

After all these years, like a dream that he thought would never happen, she was here in front of him, unaware that he was right next to her.

He couldn't help himself but breathe her name like a whisper in the winds,

" Khushi "

Khushi who had been in a light sleep, felt herself regaining her consciousness as he heard her name being called out, the voice was achingly familiar and she knew it was a dream, a painful dream that always haunted her, where she would hear his voice calling out for her and opened her eyes only to see no one, she mumbled as she opened her eyes,

" please Arnav ... you are just a dream beyond my reach "

Her softly spoken words pierced his heart like a million stakes, the pain of agonising loss in her voice threatened to break down the walls of restraint that he had build around it since they had parted ways.

He waited for her to see him ... to know that he was really there.

Khushi felt her heart beats accelerating as her eyes focused on the outline of the man standing in front of her, that frame was all too familiar for her, she could recognise it anywhere, her eyes flew open unable to believe what she was seeing,

Was it really him ??

He was standing in front of her ...

Watching her sadly ... his eyes spoke of the pain they had shared all these years.

Yet she dared not hope it was real ... it was too good to be true, she called out to him,

"Arnav "

In reply, he stretched his arms open for her, something she had been waiting for ever since the day she had walked away from him ! she flew into his arms, colliding against her with the force of a freight train, Arnav stumbled back a bit but gathered her close.

This was real !!

They were really in each other's arms.

The mutual feeling of love ... loss ... shock... Coursing through them, setting their hearts on fire !!

No words were spoken as they tried to absorb themselves into each other, consume themselves and become one whole soul.

After what felt like minutes, they both broke apart, the awkward silence filling the room. Tensed and Positively scared that all of this was going to end too soon, they couldn't even look at each other now, Arnav tried to talk work,

" Khushi .. I am here as part of the research team ... " mumbled Arnav, admonishing himself for his lame he sounded with his explanation.

Khushi had figured that out by then and nodded tonelessly. They both were too lost, this meeting was so sudden, their reactions to each other too overwhelming like they had been starving of each other which was indeed true. Even now this meeting felt surreal to them and the irony wasn't lost on either of them.

Their careers for which they had forsaken their love had reunited them once again.

After a while, they managed to settle each other into their comfort zones, they started speaking like pure professionals, but their hearts were raging, drinking in each other's sight, absorbing everything that they had been deprived off in the last 5 years.

One thing that stood out stark naked was that they love each other even today with the same intensity or maybe more than they had done before.

They talked endless about their work, none of them  felt the heart to move to the camp just yet so Khushi called up Ryan to inform that Arnav would start his work only from the next day, they talked away into the night, they talked about everything other than themselves but their hearts had a talking of their own, they could innately feel the need to be close to each other,

Khushi invited Arnav to stay at her place, initially though he felt awkward, the expression in her eyes melted his own will-power, he agreed and so they were at her place.

That night when they spoke to their parents together, it had been nothing short of absolute shock, their parents shed tears of happiness and as they hung up, they had just one prayer, to make their children happy again, they knew fate had brought them together again for a reason and rest they left it to the Gods.

Khushi made dinner for Arnav that night, they tried their best to keep the conversations friendly without letting out their emotions too much, they chatted away like old times, the last 5 years they had lost, they shared every memory they could, spoke about their successful careers for which they had let gone of their sole happiness ... their love. And for the first time in their lives, they truly felt proud of their achievements, now that they had each other, it felt complete.

Khushi led Arnav to the guest bedroom, once he was settled in, she turned to go when she felt Arnav holding her hand, he cupped her face and placed a light kiss on her forehead,

"Goodnight Khushi. "  Khushi could only stare at him, the feeling of his lips which she had missed for so long, she couldn't let him go again, she would die if she had to see him walk away once again, she looked at Arnav with innocent eyes that screamed only of the love they had lost,

" can we spend the night together Arnav ... like old times ... holding each other as we sleep. "

Arnav didnt wait for another second but lifted her into his arms and gently laid her down, getting in beside her, they didnt utter another word but just held each tight as they drifted off to the most beautiful sleep they had in years.

The morning came and both of them woke up with the same prayer,

Beseeching Gods to help them figure out a way through this pain .. to not let go again ... because they both knew that if they had to walk away once more, it would only mean their death. Now that they had each other and had experienced what it is to have lost and then discovered their love, they couldn't live through the pain again.

Later that day, as Arnav & Khushi arrived at the camp hand in hand, Ryan & Lara looked at them in shock, the peace and joy on their faces, those 2 emotions were something that their friends had never witnessed before, Arnav & Khushi together looked whole again, for the first time they looked alive !

And in that instant, they knew, Lara & Ryan, the only 2 people who knew the sacrifice their friends had made, knew that these were the missing halves in their friend's life. And they couldn't have been more happier !

Lara & Ryan had always had the opinion that Arnav & Khushi should never have forsaken their love in the name of their careers, and they had made it clear to them as well but the idiots had never budged in their stand but now seeing their happiness together, they secretly and separately vowed that come what may, they would never let these lovers live alone again !

The days passed quickly, work kept them all busy but Arnav and Khushi never left each other's presence, they worked together, as  a team. They revelled in each other's passion towards their work, Khushi was over the moon at seeing that Arnav was a genius in his field as he related more about his work, also Lara informed Khushi that Arnav was one of the most respected scientists in the community, while Arnav had a sense of pride as he saw Khushi showering her endless love and care to the less fortunate lives around them, Ryan secretly confessed to Arnav that Khushi was no less than an angel for the people around them.

And so the time flew and soon it was time for Arnav to depart, Lara and Ryan practically threatened to lock Arnav & Khushi together if they decided to walk away from a love so potent again. But the love birds couldn't come to an easy decision, they were afraid that later if not sooner, their careers would again pull them apart, Khushi was engulfed in his arms as they say by a lakeside next the camp, Khushi was shedding silent tears in his arms but Arnav's mind and heart were working in tandem, he knew what must be done and he wouldn't let Khushi live another second of her life in agony, he pulled her up to face him, wiped away her tears with soft kisses,

"Hush Khushi ... no more of these wretched tears !

We both have shed enough of them  ... we have spend days fighting our battle of wills ... we have spend lonely nights tossing restlessly as we craved each other ... every time we met with success we have desperately sought out to be with each other but yet we never took the next step.

We sacrificed our love for the sake of our careers, to ensure that our love didnt become an enemy to our personal dreams but what we both failed to realise is that our dreams have always been dreamn't of together, everything we wished for in life, we wished for it together yet we have lived them alone.

Khushi we ignored the most beautiful dream of our lives for our careers ... our love ... our life together ... a family of our own ... to grow old together.

And look at us Khushi ... we have lived such pathetic existences !!

Lara Ryan ... everyone who knows about us or doesn't know .. they have all felt that our souls weren't whole without each other.

If everybody can see the truth ... then why cant we !! "

Khushi was trembling as she held onto his fingers, she knew what Arnav was suggesting but it was a dream that she thought would never happen,

" please Arnav, do not utter words that have always been a dream for us.

I can't live through a heartbreak again !!

I have lived the last 5 years like a dead soul, just a robotic existence, everything I wished for in my career, I have it today but none of it brought me any happiness, none of it could fill the gaping holes in my life.

I don't want to dream something that may never happen. "

Arnav caught her in his arms, his expression fierce and determined,

" NO Khushi !!

This isnt an unreal dream ... its a real one and we will make this happen !!

Our meeting here after years of separation, our works leading us to each other ... what does it mean Khushi ??

Its a message we need to understand now, our careers wont destroy our love as we feared Khushi, nothing can come our way, we wouldn't have to sacrifice anything !!

I can continue my research even from here, or maybe you could do more of your work at my place, anything Khushi ... we will figure it out .. nothing is impossible, we may have challenging careers but even our careers complement each other perfectly like our characters. We have always been 2 body but one soul Khushi and we will always be like that.

This isn't a chance we are taking ... its a step taken closer to our dream of a life together ... as we always wished for !! "

Khushi didnt let him complete but pulled him in for a scorching kiss, it was the first time they had locked lips since meeting each other and it was a fire that could consume the universe. Gentle but passionate, calming but fierce, sweet but branding, it was beautifully intense.

The happiness that they felt coursing through their lives at the knowledge that they wouldn't have to live without each other ... it was beyond everything they had ever accomplished in their lives.

Minutes later they broke apart panting, their heart beats dancing in unison, crazy smiles adorning their face, leaning their foreheads on each other, savouring the moment, minutes passed and a silent giggle escaped Khushi's lips, Arnav looked at her questioningly and she smiled at him sheepishly,

" we are the biggest idiots on earth ... you know that .. don't you ? "

Arnav smirked at her in return,

"yea we are but even geniuses have their moments of foolishness thought our moments spanned years !! "

Khushi looked at him adoringly , " I love you Arnav " Arnav hugged her closer, feeling each other's heartbeats, " I love you too Khushi "

A while later they walked back to the camp, Ryan & Lara looked menacing as they waited for the verdict, Arnav smirked at Khushi, a naughty glint in his eyes as he turned to face their 2 well wishers,

"we are leaving guys and thats our decision !! "

Arnav & Khushi wanted to burst out laughing seeing their confused expressions at this unexpected reply, Lara spoke up,

"leaving where guys ?? "

Khushi looked at them with a smile, "to India .. to get married " !!

The shock of the moment suspended and the next they knew, Ryan had come forward and slapped Arnav tight while Lara came and kicked Khushi hard on her back, the love birds screamed in unison,

" what was that for !! "

Ryan shot back without hesitation, "for being 2 absolute geniuses yet being so utterly stupid annoying lovesick idiots !! "

And that was it, happy chaos as Arnav & Khushi, reunited in their love, revelling in the happy smiles of their friends and co-workers, left for their home together to finally live the dream they had wanted above all their other dreams.  

FF Let Me Love You - Part 33

Arnav's eyes met her's , a smile on his face as he watched her, every movement from the time she opened her eyes seemed heightened, her senses were sharper, and it was perceptive to every emotion that played out on her husband's face, his care seemed to have increased manifold in intensity as he treated her like a delicate rose.

She felt his fingers gently trace the side of her face, moving the loose strands away from her line of sight as he bend closer,

"  how are feeling princess ?? "

Khushi could only stare at him in return, everything that happened before she lost her consciousness played out in her mind, she remembered her drastic actions, her reckless behaviour, her own attempts to take her life, a life that she given this man who was watching her with only love in his eyes, she knew he was hurt and more than hurt, he was scared. And yet he was talking to her as though nothing mattered more than her well-being to him, she looked around the room, everyone in her family was there, Sayali and Samar were standing nearby, Alaka & Payal were right behind Arnav while Akash was sitting on the other side of the bed, Aryan was present too and so were 3 new faces, but their presence didnt trouble her because her heart was laden with guilt, deep mind numbing guilt at her own actions, she felt tears well up in her eyes as her gaze shifted back to Arnav. It  began to glide down freely and Arnav gathered her into his arms as she wept, he cradled her like she was a baby and she clung to him, his words were trying to soothe her,

" Ssshh Khushi ... its okay. Everything is okay and under control.

Please don't cry princess ... no one is going to hurt you ... you know I will never let anyone mess with you again.

Khushi ... please stop crying sweetheart or else it will affect your health. "

Khushi pulled back and looked at Arnav with wide innocent eyes, her expression of agony was breaking his heart as each second passed,

"Arnav I am really sorry. I am so sorry for what I did a while back.

I was reckless and I acted rashly. I know I must have caused you so much pain, trying to take my own life. A life that I promised I would share with you ... live with you.

What if you hadn't reached me on time ... what if you hadn't stopped me on time ... I would have been de... "

Arnav didnt let her complete her words as he covered her mouth with his hands,

" Hush Khushi ... don't even say such a thing !

I would never be late Khushi ... I will always reach you the minute you need me.

I would never let you slip away from me !

You are right ... I was hurt .. I was scared Khushi !

You terrified me and for that you will have to make it upto me "

He leaned in closer so that only she could hear,

"make it upto me when we are alone "

Said Arnav as he looked at her with a hint of a small smile, they just looked at each other for a while, no one in the room spoke a word, they just wanted Khushi to be fine and they could see that Arnav was bringing her back to normalcy.

Khushi turned and looked at Pari Payal and Akash who were looking at her anxiously, when she smiled at them, all three of them rushed to her side, Akash was the first one who pulled her into a tight hug, crushing her in his arms,

"don't you dare do that again Bhabhi !

Don't you dare even think about it again ... its not you who should go ... its the scum that should be wiped away and promise you Bhabhi , we will wipe out the vermins in front of your eyes.

We need you always ... we need to see you and Bhai together forever. "

Khushi looked at Pari who had tears in her eyes,

" I lost Rahul already Bhabhi and now I have only you, you aren't just Bhai's wife for me but you are the only remaining living memory of Rahul with me ... I can't loose you as well !! " said Pari as she broke down crying and Khushi reached for her and together the 2 ladies cried over their shared loss and pain. "

Payal touched Khushi on her shoulder, she smiled at her,

" you know what Khushi ... I just got my sister back ... and you are my only family today. And you know am pretty much the most selfish bitch around here so yeah am not ready to let go of the only person whom I can claim as family. So yeah next time such wild thoughts enter your head, am going to tie you up for a month atleast ! "  joked Payal playfully as everyone laughed for the first time, the atmosphere in the room lightened a bit.

Sayali and Samar were the last to reach her, they looked at her with such love that for a minute Khushi felt she had her mother back, she could feel her mother's presence in the two people smiling at her, Sayali placed a kiss on her forehead while Samar stroked her hair,

" we don't have much to say sweetheart, everyone has said everything but this is what we have to tell you, you are a daughter of this house, our eldest son's wife, you will be the one who will take the Raizada lineage ahead and if anyone tries to cause you pain, then they will be dealt with the iron fist of nothing short of mortal death. " said Samar who looked at Khushi with such fatherly possessiveness which left even Arnav stunned because he had never seen his father like that ever before.

Khushi shifted her attention back to the three people standing in the room, smiling at her gently, she looked at Arnav confused, who decided not to further her confusion and quickly made introductions and Khushi was positively happy once Alisha Zeeshan and Rehaan interacted with her, she had never met anyone among Arnav's friends and she was only too happy to meet that people in her husband's life beyond his family.

Once she felt a little better, Sayali insisted on everyone having a sound healthy meal and everyone got ready and headed downstairs, it was happy chaos as the family and the new members all chatted, the conversations were all kept happy and light, no one's behaviour indicated the impending storm that awaited them in the form of Nikhil Vaid and his friends, for now all that mattered was that the family had a good time.

Khushi was tense inside but she wanted to regain her strength a bit before she faced the demons again, Arnav was by her side as they silently fed each other while their family teased them which they enjoyed and played along with.

To Alisha Zeeshan & Rehaan, it was a revelation to see Arnav so happy and relaxed, they knew that Arnav & Khushi was a match made in heaven and their hearts warmed to Khushi who despite having lived a traumatic existence had still let Arnav's love win her heart and the darkness in her life.

After the meal, Arnav took Khushi with him for a walk in the gardens behind their home, nothing was said as they walked together, Khushi nestled in his arms, her hands wrapped around his waist, they walked on until they came to the small rivulet running through the garden, they sat down by the side and let the water lap their feet as they leaned against the birch tree behind them, enjoying the silent wind of the night, stars had lit up the night sky and Khushi seemed lost in them, when a voice spoke nearby,

" talking to Rahul .. aren't you ?? " .. it was Arnav's voice and Khushi could only smile in return,

" I was telling him everything ... I wish he was still with us .. if not for my sake ... atleast for Pari. Pari spends her life trying to make us all happy Arnav but I can sense her loneliness, she loves Rahul so much that his loss still haunts her, I wish there was something we do for her. "

Arnav pulled her close as he looked at the stars,

" I trust Rahul ... he has taken care of you well when he was around .. he gave my sister love ... his love was so powerful that she fought for her love even after it left her and I trust the same love to bring her happiness again Khushi.

Pari will find her happiness soon ... she wont have to wait long. "

Khushi looked at Arnav who spoke with conviction, her worries were returning,

" what's going to happen now Arnav ??

Nikhil has those tapes ... and he will release it if we try harming him.

Isn't there any end to this nightmare ! "

Arnav gently turned her to face him as he pulled her closer, his eyes were an inch away from her's ,

" those tapes will all be destroyed without any trace evidence.

Nikhil wont be able to cause any harm princess. He will die before any of that is attempted.

I have got it all sorted and very soon things will fall into place. " said Arnav who then explained his plan in detail to Khushi who looked more and more terrified at her husband's foolproof planning.

The thought of the fate that awaited Nikhil made her tremble, but she felt no pain at his suffering, neither did she wish for it, she felt numb, she knew that things would soon kick into motion and the tragedy of her past would be closed once and for all.

She had another more pressing fear which she couldn't help but voice out to Arnav,

"and what if his men try to hurt you Arnav ?

What if they try to hurt anyone amongst our family ?

I can't bear the pain again Arnav ... and I can't even live with the thought of losing you. "

Arnav stroked the side of her face as he gently smiled at her,

"I will safe Khushi ... everyone will be safe. And you will never loose me, you are going to wake up in my arms every morning and sleep in my arms every night.

This is always going to be our reality and I will not let anyone come between us and that. Its a promise. "

Khushi looked at Arnav and did the first thing her heart told her to do, she placed her lips against his, overcome by the need to be close to him , by the need to be with him in any way that was possible.

Arnav didnt hold back as he kissed her thoroughly, a few whispered words of love , passionate murmurs and lot of love and they were lost in their world, surrounded by nothing but the divine beauty of nature's night wonders, the moonlight casting a pearly shadow over the lovers.

A while later they walked back hand in hand, Zeeshan Rehaan and Alisha had left after promising to meet them the next day, Aryan had also left and now it was just the Raizadas, talking, watching TV, the time passed and almost all of them were drowsy after the exhausting day, Sayali came to Khushi who was slightly sleepy as she had her head on Arnav's shoulder,

" Arnav why don't you let Khushi sleep with me today, you can sleep with your papa. "

Arnav looked at Khushi, he was reluctant to stay away from her, Khushi also looked a bit sad but at the same time she seemed happy to spend time with Sayali so he reluctantly agreed and Sayali had to laugh at her son's expression,

"relax Arnav .. its just for one night ... rest of your lives ... Khushi is always going to be with you. "

Arnav blushed slightly while Khushi turned tomato red, but being the shameless one, Arnav got up and kissed Khushi on her cheeks before wishing his mother goodnight and then bounded off with his dad while Sayali took Khushi with her.

But the night had more surprises, it was a night when every child in the Raizada household experienced parental love in a special way, Khushi insisted that Alaka also join them while Arnav insisted Akash to join him along with Samar.

And so that night, the family slept in the same room, in 2 different beds, one one, there was Sayali at the middle with Alaka and Khushi on her either side, both the girl's needed their mother who gently erased the pain they had both suffered for so long while on the other bed, Samar had Arnav and Akash envelope him from either side, the sons taking strength from their father for the struggle for justice that awaited them, the father imbibing the wisdom of his age and his love for his sons further into their hearts.

A night of absolute bliss and contentment.

A night of unconditional love.