The Bond Of Love

"Aman, what did the doctor said? Are you alright?" Arnav enquired about Aman's health.

"Yeah, I'm fine...need some rest for a few days...that's it" Aman said to his best friend.

Arnav & Aman are best friends for the past three & a half years. They met while their military training. Both of them are directly recruit from college. Their friendship is like a breeze in the harsh life of a soldier. Aman fallen ill & Arnav took him to their military hospital.

"Ok, you wait here I will go & collect the medicines"

"I will also come with you Arnav" Aman insisted.

"Abbe....shut up & sit there...I will be back soon."

Arnav went & collected the medicines... as he moved forward he collide with a petite body & the medicines fell down from his hand. He found himself on the floor with a lady beside him. When he looked up to the face, he saw her smooth hairs blocking his view. As she moved back the hair tendrils, he saw the most beautiful eyes in the world.

"OMG.... I am really very sorry sir.... I don't intend to do it... it was just...that i.... so...so sorry....hey Devi Maiyya....why are you doing this to me....are you ok sir? Are you hurt? Do I need to call the attenders? I'm really...."

"Hey...calm down...I am alright...relax....ok?"

"Let me help you then...." She started to pick up the medicines, which was shattered here & there on the floor. All these time, Arnav was admiring the girl in front of him. On the other hand, she was busy in collecting the medicines.

"Here you go sir, your medicines... I'm really sorry for bumping on you."

"It is ok..." someone called the girl.

"Khushi where was you? This is your first day, isn't it? Come fast & report for your duty." A girl came there & dragged Khushi from there. Arnav repeated her name in his mind 'Khushi'. He does not know why he felt some deep connection with her, as if he knew her for ages. Brushing the thoughts aside, he moved near to Aman.

***

It has been one week since Arnav saw Khushi. He always reminisce her face. Her innocence & bubbly nature captured his heart. One day, he got a sudden urge to see her, without waiting Arnav reached the Army hospital. He went through all the wards to get a glimpse of her. Finally, in the casuality he found her. Khushi was dressed in the hospital uniform. He stood there admiring her. This continued for some days. He started to watch her from a distance whenever he got free time.

On other hand, Khushi too started noticing Arnav & some unknown feelings evoked for him. She knew that Arnav has been watching her from the past one month. In addition, she has to know about him from some of her colleagues.

***

"Arnav, when will you confess your feelings for her?"

"Hmm, nothing likes that Aman...."

"Ohh... so you don't love her...great now that Ranveer can propose her" Aman said casually.

"What? Ranveer is going to propose Khushi?"

"Yes, I heard him saying this to ram....."

"But, Ranveer is a....err....not good for Khushi"

"Hmm, you don't love her...then why are you worrying about it? Let her love or marry whoever she wants.....why should you interfere in it?"

"Aman....how can you talk like that?"

"Why? She meant nothing to me"

"Because, she meant something to me"

"What? Is she your sister?"

"Shut up Aman ...I love her"

"Ohh...finally you realized it...now go & confess it as soon as possible buddy"

Arnav smiled at this...

Finally, his friend made him realize his love for her.

***

Next day evening time,

Khushi was in her way back to her hostel. She had a morning shift. She was walking along the beautiful path of Kashmir.

"Hey"

Khushi turned back & found Arnav cladded in a white shirt & jeans.

"Hmm, good evening"

"Do you remember me?" he asked with curiosity.

"Yeah... I'm sorry for that incident"

"Ohh, that's ok..."

Khushi smiled at him.

"Hmm, I want to tell you something..."

Hearing this, Khushi's heartbeats started to rise.

"Yup...."

"Hmm...I'm Arnav....my family is in Delhi...I don't know ....hmmm let me get it straight...will you....no...can I send my Nani to seek your hand for me?"

Khushi bewildered by his sudden proposal.

"I'm sorry...I knew that this will be the worst proposal in this world...sorry for that...hmmm don't get tensed over it....i knew that we don't know each other very well... take your time Khushi....reply me later"

Arnav said understanding her situation.

"See you soon, bye" Arnav moved from there.

Khushi looked at his retiring figure & smiled.

****

Khushi was turning & tossing in her sleep. Arnav's confession took her sleep away. She wants to tell him that she likes him & want to have a relationship with him. She knew that he is good at heart. She wants to know him more.

Khushi was thinking to surprise him tomorrow with her confession. Finally thinking about the beautiful days ahead she slept peacefully.

Arnav was on his duty & suddenly they heard some gunshots from a far distance. The terrorists were trying to attack them. Arnav & his colleagues started firing. Later only gunshots & sound of bombs resonate in the atmosphere.

***

Khushi reached the hospital for her night shift. She is expecting Arnav. Her eyes searched for him, but he was nowhere to see. Khushi got disappoint not to find him there. She moved to the ICU & got shocked to find Arnav there. He was lying with wires attached to his body. His right leg was plastered. This sight made her heart cry for him. She moved near to him & looked at him. He was sleeping.

"Arnavji" a sob erupt from her mouth. She touched his bruises. She run away from there to the washroom & cried.

Later she came to knew that there was an attack in the boarder yesterday & Arnav has wounded badly. His right leg is affected severely due to the bomb explosion. Khushi tried her best to look after him in these days. Both of them did not have a chance to talk. After a week, his plaster was taken out. However, the bad news is that he got a limp on his right leg, this depressed Arnav. After two days, Khushi came to knew that Arnav left Army & moved back to his hometown, as he cannot continue in army. He was shifted to the National Statistical Organization in Delhi. Khushi cannot tolerate that Arnav left her like that...

*****

It had been a month since Arnav left Army. He is now working in a Central Government Office at his native place Delhi. The sympathetic glance made him hate himself. He smiled rarely nowadays, but when he thought about Khushi, it brought a small smile in his lips. He does not want her sympathy or pity. He is not ready to see that in her eyes. Because of this, he hurts her by leaving without talking to her. Now his life is moving mechanically, going to work, returns to home, sleeps... again work etc. slowly he forgot about his life.

It was one of such day, when he was waiting for bus to return to home. Suddenly a girl came there on a scooter with a helmet on her head & gestured him to seat in the scooter next to her.

Arnav taken aback by this, but have not paid any attention to it & stood there. The girl removed her helmet & spoken.

"Ohhh...ohhh....Arnavji, come & sit. We need to go" Khushi said cheerfully.

Arnav was shocked to seeing Khushi there.

"Khushi? You?"

"Yeah, it's me. Now come," she signaled him to sit in the scooter.

"No, my bus will come soon. I will go in that. Thanks for your offer" saying this he moved away.

"Arnav, today your bus will not come. You better accept my offer."

"No need of that. I will wait."

"So, you won't come with me? Okay."

"Glad that you understood that" Arnav thought that Khushi will go from there, but instead she exit from her scooty & moved near to Arnav. Suddenly Khushi started to cry aloud.

"Khushi, what happened? Why are you crying?" Arnav asked in panic. However, he doesn't see the crowd gathering around them.

"What happened? Why are you crying? Is this man disturbing you?" a man asked Khushi.

"This is common nowadays. Girls can't travel peaceful"

Few men started to move towards Arnav.

"What is your problem? We know what to do with boys like you."

One of them suddenly held Arnav's collar. Seeing this Khushi realized that things were slipping from her hand.

"No...please leave him." Khushi said.

"You don't worry child, we will handle this. You can go from here." An elderly man said to Khushi.

"He didn't done anything. He is...he is ...my husband....yes...he is my husband."

"What? Husband? Then why are you were crying?"

"Uncle, we had a small fight. In fact, I am at fault. I said sorry to him in the morning, but he is not ready to forgive me. That's why I came here to pick him, but he is still angry with me." Khushi said with a worried expression.

"What the...?" Arnav was shocked.

"Son, if your wife admit her mistake please do forgive her.," a elderly woman said to Arnav. He was going tell them the truth but Khushi sensed it & talked in between.

"You know he is so angry on me that he will even say that I am not his wife."

"You are not my wife, that's the truth." Arnav said.

"See, I told you that he will tell this. Arnav, I admit that I ignored you yesterday, as I was busy with the kitchen stuffs. I will not repeat it again. Please forgive me & come to home with me."

Finally, Arnav gave up, owing to the compulsion from the crowd induced by Khushi's drama. Khushi was so happy to start their small ride. She started the scooter & waited for him. Reluctantly, Arnav sat on the seat.

"You know the roads are not that good. So please hold me."

"No need of it."

"Are you sure or should I call the crowd?"

Arnav stared at her for a minute & kept his hand on her shoulder.

"So here we go hubby...I mean my fake hubby."

The half an hour journey was something for both of them. It felt as if they travelled a light year together. He loved the way her hair flown with the wind, hitting his face. Her hair smells divine, he thought. It is true that he found solace in her presence. She halted her scooter in front of his house. He started to walk without paying attention to her.

"Arnavji" she called out his name. A new sensation chilled down though his spine. His name felt melodious from her mouth. Slowly he turned back & glanced at her.

"Won't you invite me to your house?" a smiling Khushi asked him to which he replied nothing. Khushi understood what his answer is.

"Okay, some other time." Saying this she started her scooter & move on.

This routine of giving lift continues for a week. She will chatter all about her daily activities to him, while he remained as a mere listeners. From her talk, he got to know that she had applied for a job in a well-reputed hospital in Delhi & is staying with her Buaji. He secretly loved their rides & her chatter. It was like a cool breeze in his mechanical life.

For the past three days, Khushi did not come to pick him. He missed her. He does not have any way to communicate with her. On the fourth day, Khushi came to pick him & he came to know that she joined in the job. As much as he loved her, he does not want her to sacrifice her life for a disabled man like him. Therefore, he decided to stay away from her, for a week he was successful in that.

She realized that he is ignoring her intentionally. One day she came in front of him. He knows that Khushi will not leave the place without him. He was happy to see her after a week, the more he distanced from her, and the more he craved to be with her. Reluctantly Arnav accompanied her.

"This is not the way to my house. Where are we going?"

"Keep patience Arnavji. I have a small surprise for you."

She stopped her scooter near a secluded area in a park. Both of them stepped out of the scooter.

"Arnavji, can you please close your eyes for a minute?"

Arnav raised his eyebrows.

"Please..." Khushi made a puppy face which melted him. He know that he is not worthy for her, this is all he can do for her before pushing her away from his life.

After a few minutes,

"Arnavji, open your eyes"

When he opened his eyes, a small chocolate cake with a lightened candle came into his view.

"Happy Birthday Arnavji."

That's it, Arnav lost his patience.

"What is this Khushi? Why are you hell bent to make me angry? Why are you doing all these? Everything has a limit. First it was giving me lifts, then your blabbering...now this. You meant nothing to me dammit. Why are you torturing me?"

Khushi was shocked with his outburst. His every word penetrated her soul. She only wants his love. She knows that this is the time to put her emotions & feelings in front of him. Tears started to flow from her eyes. Her each tears made a wound in his heart. He started to move from her, but stopped hearing her words.

"I meant nothing to you! Meant nothing? Is this the reason that you proposed me? Is this the reason you left from there without saying anything to me? What about me? You were all I want. Do you know how much I suffered from these past months? Do you know why I came here? YES, I came here only for you. I would not be here if Amanji had not said the truth about your ignorance towards me. Did you really think that I would reject you because of this disability? Is this what you think about me? How can you just leave me like that?"

Khushi covered her face with her palm & cried. All this revelations made terror in his mind. He cannot see her crying like this, it hurts him that he is the reason for that tears. He moved towards her & placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Khushi" hearing him, she looked up to him.

"Arnavji, I love you...I need you in my life" Khushi cupped his face in her tiny hands. His eyes got moist seeing the love in her eyes for him.

"Khushi, I can't walk properly"

"I will be there to help you"

"I have a limp"

"I will always support you"

"You may regret about this decision later"

"Never ever...."

"You may feel that I am a burden"

"You are my existence not burden"

"You may find someone worthier than me."

"No one can make me feel what I feel for you"

"People will mock you"

"You, that's all matter to me"

"I can't be a perfect man for you"

"I don't want a perfect man. I just want you."

He don't know what to say. He tried his best to make her understand.

"Arnavji, just answer my one question"

Arnav stared at her eyes.

"Do I mean anything to you?"

"Khushi....you meant...you...." Arnav tried to explain her.

Khushi felt dejected & started to walk. Khushi felt a tug in her hand & looked up.

"Khushi you are the light that came into my dark life. The first time I saw you, I felt an unknown connection with you. I do not know what that was. Gradually my eyes started to search for you. I loved seeing you smiling face. Slowly I realized what I felt for you. That is why I came with that proposal. I know that you too have some feeling for me. However,...that bombardment shattered everything. I felt like a helpless man with this limp. i hate all that sympathetic glances. I do not want to see any sympathy or pity in your eyes. That's why I return to Delhi. Also I don't want to ruin your life by tying u down with a limp man like me."

Khushi understood how much this man has suffered. She wants to be with him, support him, cherish him, and love him unconditionally.

"Arnavji, all that matters to me is you. It is you & always will be you. I need you in my life. I love you."

"Khushi, you mean more than my life"

Khushi hugged him & sobbed.

"Please don't push me away from you Arnavji...I will not survive."

"Khushi are you ready to carry a burden like me?"

"Don't say that, you are not a burden & never will be. Always keep one thing in your mind that 'I love you forever'"

"Khushi, I love you. It has been always you."

Khushi smiled at him.

"When I joined the Army hospital I don't know that I will find the love of my life. When I first met you, it was your eyes, which caught my attention. It speaks something to me on that day."

Khushi touched his face and kissed his eyes.

"I sensed your present from the following days. I knew that you used to visit the hospital to see me and I was expecting your arrival. You evoked some unknown yet beautiful feelings in me. Unexpectedly you proposed & went away without waiting for my reply. I thought to give you the reply on the next day....but..." a lone tear escaped from her eyes. Arnav wiped away that tears.

"It hurts me a lot seeing you attached with all those wires and fighting for your life. It was so heart wrenching for me. At that time, I realized what you meant to me. I prayed for your recovery, tried my best to be with you when you were in the hospital being unconscious. I felt so happy when you gained conscious, but after that you started to shove me away. Whenever I tried to talk to you, you shut me away. You started going away from me. Therefore, I decided to stay away from you until you get better. One day, I came to know that you left army. It hurts a lot that you left without saying anything. After a few weeks I saw Amanji, he told me everything. He told me that you want me go away from you, as I do not deserve someone like you. Then I told Amanji about what I felt for you. he promised to help me, soon I resigned that job to move back here. Nobody can understand how happy I felt when I saw you after so many days. I was afraid that you would reject me if I approach you directly. That's why I have done all that crazy thing. Now I am happy that you accepted my love. You made me the luckiest girl in this world." Khushi hugged him overwhelmed by her emotions.

"Khushi, I am sorry for every..." Arnav tried to apologies but before that her palms covered his mouth.

"No need of sorry. If I have been in your place I would have done the same"

"I love you Khushi"

"Laadgovernor, made me do this entire water works instead of cutting the cake." To cheer him Khushi said slapping him on chest.

"Shall we cut the cake then?"

"Sure"

After their small birthday celebration,

"So Khushi, where is my gift?"

Khushi searched for the gift in her bag.

"Ohh no, I forgot to take it" Khushi said scratching her head.

"It's okay, but you can still give me a gift."

Khushi did not understand what Arnav meant until she saw a mischievous look in his face.

"No...never..." Khushi said.

"I am okay with celebrating my birthday without a gift." Arnav made a face, which melted her. Slowly she lean close & planted kisses on his both cheek.

"Happy now, birthday boy" Arnav nodded his head in reply.

"Very much, and I need my answer for the proposal. Should I send my Nani to seek your hand for me?"

"Yes, send your Nani as soon as possible," saying this she hugged him. He securely covered her petite frame in his arms.

*****

"Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary Mrs. Raizada"

"Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary to my Laadgovernor"

"I still can't believe that I survived 10 years with your continuous chattering" Arnav said to tease his wife.

"Then what about me? I got teased for all your shameless acts," Khushi mentioned their almost kisses caught by the family.

"What can I do? Whenever I tried to do some mischievous things to you, somebody will come and take you away. Then come Aru and Anu to interrupt our sections."

Khushi smiled remembering their numerous moments interrupted by their daughters, 8-year-old Arushi & 4-year-old Anushi.

"After all, both of them are their Papa's Darlings."

"Yeah, that's true."

Arshi cut the cake and exchanged their gifts.

"So Mr. Raizada, are you going to stand here for all the night? You know I have send Aru and Anu to Jiji's place for some benefits." Khushi wound her arms around him and winked at him.

"Ohh my...you are so naughty Mr. Raizada."

"Are you complaining?"

"No never." Saying this he captured her plump lips with his. They expressed their love for each other in their own way.

After some hours, both of them lying on the bed after their heated love making.

"Khushi" arnav called her who was lying on his chest. She looked up to him.

"Ji Arnavji"

"it all felt like yesterday...bumping on to you...searching for you...proposing you...that accident...you chasing me to Delhi...our love...marriage...Arushi and Anushi...I doesn't expect all this at that time. Thanks for coming after me and accepting me. I know what people say when they know that you married a man having limp. I felt sad when I came to know that...but now it does not matter. I know you love me a lot and I will not belittle your love ever in my life. In these ten years, you made me feel worthy. Now I do not care about the limp of mine. I am a man who has all the happiness in this world. All this is because of you. Thanks for not giving up on us and me. thanks for accepting me as your lover...making me your husband...father of your children...giving me a family...thanks a lot Khushi...the feeling I have for you is more than what words can describe." Arnav said planting a kiss on her forehead.

"Arnavji, Hamesha"

"Yeah, forever"

Soon they drifted into sweet dream fully sleep.

Arnav & Khushi lived happily with their bundle of joys named Arushi & Anushi.

*********
Arnav : Hey, just because the story ends here, that doesn't mean that you can't comment on the story.

Khushi : So please comment and vote. Don't be a silent reader guys.

Writer : Yeah, your words are my energy boosters, so leave a comment.

*******

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