Chapter 16B: A Glimpse of the Past

Chapter 16B: A Glimpse of the Past

Khushi: Khushi Kumari Gupta.. Khushi!... My mother named me Khushi.. as a hope of happiness in her life...

She opened the album to reveal a baby khushi on the first page. As his eyes fell on her picture, a smile adorned his face. The big eyes of the baby and her chubby cheeks... Since then she had that naughtiness hidden. Arnav was happy as Khushi was finally trusting him to open up the pages of her life. On that thought, he held her tighter. As she turned the first page, tears welled up her eyes. She looked at the lady holding a 2 years old khushi. Khushi was in a pink frock and she looked so beautiful. Afterall her mother never left a chance to dress her daughter like a princess. Arnav turned his eyes towards Khushi and he knew her state.. Caressing her arms affectionately, he said..

ASR: She is beautiful! In fact you look like her.. you both has the same eyes.

And he gave her a consoling smile while Khushi turned towards him nodding in acknowledge.

Khushi: Yeah she is! But this was just a pose for a mother daughter photo.

Arnav looked at her questioninly.

ASR: Matlab? (you mean?)

Khushi: Looking at this happy mother and her daughter, no one can say that behind this picture perfect there were a lot of pain, sorrows. No one can see the dry tears hidden with this fake smile of this beautiful mother. No one can see the dark circles of a struggling mother.. She was a fighter.. The only reason of her life was her kids... our happiness, our safety.. she would do her best so that we always walk on the right path.

ASR: And she's done it! when she is looking at you, I'm sure she must be proud at the beautiful human being you've become.

Khushi raised up her eyes from the album as an hesitant smile appeared on her teary face. Her guy truly knew how to console his lady. She turned towards Arnav and placed a loving kiss on his cheeks. She turned back to the album and the next page showed a photograph of a young boy holding a baby Khushi in his arms.

ASR: And that must be your brother!

She nodded with a smile.

Khushi: Shyam bhai! I think we took this picture when he was 10 years and I might be 2 years old! the best brother in the world! He treated me like a doll... he called me his gudiya. But ma was helpless.. She had to seperate us for bhai's life.. Bhai was sent to boarding school at a very young age. As a boy, mum didn't want to take the risk that bhai might be influence by our father. Being a kid, I was very angry with ma.. we missed each other a lot. But after ma's death, I was happy that ma took the right decision.. Bhai was happy as he was unaware of the reality of this house.. Even for holidays, most of the time mum tried to avoid him coming home.. But still Bhai never missed calling me every day..

Her face shined with happiness when she talked about her brother which surprised Arnav. Obviously he did knew that she had a brother because of Payal and Anu but he never thought that they were so close. But that happiness disappeared as she turned to the next picture. It was a teared photograph.. He could clearly see the pain in her eyes and the need to finally share her past with someone. Arnav brought his lips to her soft cheeks which diverted her attention from those sad memories. She turned towards him and instantly brought her hands to his neck. Crying into his chest..those memories flashed infront of her eyes as if it happened yesterday... the cries of her mother, her drunk father, and at last the betrayal of her nanaji... Arnav pulled back from her and cupped her face in concern. He didn't wish to know any truth if talking about it hurts her so much.

ASR: Khushi it's ok.. just forget about it baby..

She looked at him while he held her wrists and placed a comforting kiss onto her knuckles.

Khushi: No Arnav.. how much it might hurt, you need to know.

She wiped her tears and faked a smile.

Khushi: See I'm brave enough.. I won't cry..

Arnav nodded and smiled. She turned and rested her back into her chest while Arnav held her in silence. She leaned her head on his shoulders and started narrate the past of her mother.

Khushi: A daughter is not born for career.. That's the belief of Nanaji.. Ma was a very studious girl before marriage. She was ambitious and upon that she was a good human being.. she was always ready to help no matter the situation. And She wanted to be a doctor.. she wanted to be a life savior. Nanaji was against her studies till he found his own advantage into this. He let her go for further studies on the condition that as soon as she became a doctor, she'll get married to the guy he chooses for him. She happily agreed for it as she never thought that the next few years will not only bring her success but also love. She became a doctor and most importantly she fell in love! She went back home but all the way back, she only had one fear in mind.. that nanaji will never agree.

Khushi lifted her eyes towards Arnav.

ASR: She was in love, just like you! See she didn't runaway and...

Khushi suddenly interrupted his words in an angry voice.

Khushi: Yeah but she should have..

Arnav was shocked by her sudden outburst but he tried to calm her down.

ASR: Ssshh.. it's ok! Relax..

She closed her eyes and intook another breath.

Khushi: I'm sorry.. I didn't...

ASR: You don't need to baby.. You can say anything to me! You know na?

She smiled at him while Arnav looked at her with his sexy smirk.

ASR: so where were we? And I promise nomore interruptions..

TO BE CONTINUED...