Khushi stood near the poolside gazing at the stars while thanking her Devi Maiya and their parents for sending her Arnavji back to her. After days of trials and all the efforts finally he was here where he belonged.
She reminisced the past few days. It had been sheer torture. Every single instant spent without him was painful. In brief, her life had been hell. She has never felt so lost and scared in her life the way she has when he was not there with her. His absence has made her realized an inevitable truth that without him she would cease to exist, there was no Khushi without Arnav. Days of sheer loneliness, imagining him in their room, at the poolside, talking to the plants, making sugar free jalebis, nothing had helped as her entire being revolved around him; the feeling of being safe and secured that only her Arnavji's presence. There was care hidden in his anger. His eyes held so many emotions all that were reserved only for her.
She walked back to their room. Her eyes on their own accord found his sleeping figure on the bed. She walked through the other side of the bed and settling herself on her elbow caressed his face with her other hand. After so many days he slept peacefully, the dark circles under his eyes evident his sleepless night. He has become so weak; even the doctors had given him strict instructions for rest. She promised herself to take care of him; his work and any other thing would wait. And she would make sure of it.
Though she wanted to remain awake and keep staring at him not wanting to close her eyes only to wake up to realize that it was a dream. Soon she found herself to surrender to the exhaustion.
A sound disturbed her sleep. She woke up startled and panicked his side empty. He was here with her when she has fallen asleep. Where was he now ? Panic rushed through her veins and she let out a scream.
Khushi " Arnavji....Arnavji kahaan hai aap? " crying hysterically
Just then the bathroom door opened and Arnav came out.
Pulling the quilt aside she ran straight into his arms and threw herself onto him, with her tiny shivering arms around his neck, her lips almost touching his neck, her tears wetting his tee. Without a second thought, he wound his arms around her tiny form protectively holding her as close as possible while his hand rubbing her back soothingly providing his warmth for as long.
As he felt her calming down a bit, he pulled back to see her pale face, her plump lips quivering, her red swollen eyes. He looked into her innocent hazel eyes. They were full of love, trust and expectations. As he saw all these emotions, he felt his stomach clench. How could he have been so cruel to such an innocent person? He had hurt her beyond forgiveness. Despite everything, she saved him putting her life in danger.
He felt tears threatening to come out. He would never be able to tell her how much she was worth to him. He had so much to say to her yet he couldn't find words. Would sorry be a good start? He didn't know. He just knew that he needed and loved her more than anything.
In his eyes she could see repentance, guilt and an ocean of love. She slowly moved her hand to his face and caressed his cheek tenderly. He slowly closed his eyes and beamed at her touch. There were no misunderstandings, no charade. There was just him and her. She tip toed and kissed his forehead, then both eyes, nose and both cheeks. At last she pecked his lips and kept her soft lips on his hard one not doing anything.
He took her lower lip in between his lips and nibbled and licked it gently with his tongue. He gave same attention to her upper lip. He poured out all his love to her into the kiss and pulled her to him by her pretty waist. She closed her eyes in pure bliss and snaking her arms around his neck started kissing back in her own innocent way. He plunged his tongue into her mouth and continued kissing tasting every corner of her mouth. Their tongues mingled together. Her palms formed fist in his hair to pull him more towards herself. How they had both longed for this... To be with each other, to belong to each other. They kissed so slowly, so tenderly and caressed each other.
Arnav's lips broke from Khushi's when both of them needed air. He let his lips linger around her mouth occasionally placing tender, small kisses around and on her lips. Khushi could not express what she was feeling... it was too ethereal for words. He looked at her. Her eyes still closed... her heavy breathing... her flushed face... her hands clutched his shoulders... he watched as a pink blush spread across her cheeks and neck... the colour so tempting against her fair skin. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He smirked when he saw the colour on her cheeks deepening.
He picked her in his arms and carried her to bed. He carefully placed her on the bed and covered her well with the blanket. As he walked away to go, she held his hand. He looked at her. Her eyes were pleading him not to go away from her. She moved to the middle of the bed and pulled his hand.He slipped down besides her covering them with the duvet holding her close to him. She snuggled even closer to him. Her hand moved forward, lingered on his cheek and finally reached his hair. She held his hair and slowly pulled him forward. He closed his eyes. Their lips brushed and Arnav let out a soft groan. She closed the remaining distance between them and softly kissed him. After a few minutes, they broke.
Khushi " Never leave me, Arnavji. Please " with tears
Arnav " Never " kissing Khushi's forehead
Staring at him for complete two minutes, Khushi slowly closed her eyes. Her grip around Arnav never leaving him, she slept like a baby scrunching up in her husband's arms. Kissing the tip of her nose and then her hair, he pulled her more into his chest, making sure the peaceful slumber dawns upon her. He too fell asleep finally into a deep peaceful slumber. Two people finally being able to rest secured in the knowledge of being where they belonged.
It's the beginning of a new beginning!!!