"Arrey Anjali bitwa!" Madhumati fussed around Anjali, not liking the fact that the sweet girl was serving lunch. To add to Madhumati's horrors, little Aarav made Madhumati swear on his name to not do anything except sit, with him joining his mother in serving the table.

Payal smiled happily, helping Aarav out with a basket of rotis. She watched the two brothers grabbing the pots of dish from an annoyed Anjali, the awkwardness replaced by a happiness they were pretending to be in. Though Arnav's smile was more forced than the others.

Payal knew the reason why, his happiness was truly missing. But a tiny part of her brain told her that soon all would live the moments for real. Her heart lurched at the thought of her sister.

Khushi.

-------

Firecrackers burst into the sky, joy and celebration decking the city like a new bride. Yet the jubilation of her favourite Goddess barely brought a smile on Khushi's face. Her mind had calmed in Varanasi, but the same couldn't have been said for her heart.

Today was the fourth day of Navratri, red was the colour for all. Tears welled her eyes as she held up the crimson saree near her chest, bittersweet memories following soon. Draping the georgette material over herself, she left her hair loose - recalling the first time he ever gazed her as woman, the first time he wished to come close to her.

She left her suite, memorising the smell of sandalwood and hymns all around. Suddenly her heart clenched as she looked at the Mother Goddess, where did everything go wrong?

Unexpectedly, her phone rang.

It was Payal.

"So you ran away?" Khushi blinked at her sister's words. Clutching her phone tight, Khushi replied "No. I just needed some time."

"Then you must be feeling great now?" Khushi sighed at Payal's question. Feeling good had barely been a known emotion, lately.

"Khushi, no matter who you are, you wouldn't have been able to handle anybody if you didn't trust yourself. You just saw when he changed, but you didn't remain the same either." Payal's soothing voice raged a storm in Khushi's heart.

"I... I was the same!" Khushi argued.

"Really? Where was the girl who never forgot her own happiness? Under the piles of being the perfect daughter, sister, sister in law... I never saw Khushi, or even Arnav's wife for that matter." Payal accused, without blaming her sister.

Khushi couldn't reply.

"Pagli, I always pegged you to be smarter than me! Then why the same mistake? You took the vows with Arnav but you fulfilled the promise with his family, not with him nor yourself."

"Jiji... I... I feel lost." Khushi confessed, several minutes later.

"You don't have to Khushi." Payal coaxed. "Just remember how you were, as a person, when everything was going fine. When we all were happy, when you had his love." Payal whispered the last sentence, hoping Khushi could understand her.

Closing her eyes, Khushi recalled her younger self. The spirited girl who never compromised for happiness. The one who could read people as if they were her favourite books. The person who was never judgemental nor seized moments to get appraisal from others.

Suppressing a sob, Khushi asked "Why did I change Jiji?"

"Fear. Fear of not holding onto what you have. Yet that very fear kills everything."

Sitting on a nearby stool, Khushi let the tears roll by as guilt burdened her. "Khushi, I want you to be with Arnav but if I don't know something, something horrible that he could have done with you - then don't get back with him."

"He has repented." Khushi found herself saying. "In his weird, strange ways. He has."

Did he? Khushi thought to herself, and recalled the night they consummated for the first time. For a man who could never say much, he had. And there were others who committed graver crimes - they deserved the rest of her hatred.

"None of you are perfect Khushi. But I've seen you both together, you both fit like the perfect piece of puzzle. So think again Khushi... think again."

He was restless without her. She was anxious without him.

Always.

There hadn't been a moment when seeing Arnav wasn't a big deal for her. Be it in the form of hate, attraction, hurt, love. It had been the highlight of her day, every single time. What had happened to that girl who could fall off a floor but not submit to his arrogance?

She was hurt because she allowed herself to hurt.

Weren't there times when he expressed but she chose to stay blind? What if she hadn't been tough to his advances, the second time round? What if she had not played naive and confronted herself that she was in love with him - enough to trust him with the truth? What if she had taken her husband to a real date, the one meant for meeting hearts than simply trying to bring his style? What if she had realised that her husband was trying his own weird ways of spending time with her? What if she had simply been the first to reciprocate, than smile in silence?

Khushi realised her concern sister was still speaking, giving her advices that suddenly had more meaning than ever. "And Khushi, you can't find peace anywhere else because home is where the heart is..."

"And my heart is with him." Payal stopped abruptly, hearing Khushi's faint whisper.

--------

Everything could have been solved, if she had tried. When it was Shyam, she should have told Arnav the truth. When it was Sheetal, she should have shown her who the missus was.

Nothing ever mattered except, she loved him.

She had her own set of mistakes, so did he.

What if, instead of running poles apart to solve, they tried to overcome it together?

--------

"Did you tell her how devastated Bhai is?" Akash asked, frowning as his wife shook her head negatively. "She needs to know her own feelings first Akash, and then you don't tell everyone everything!" Payal waved her hand dismissively.

"Ah, I see..." Akash nodded with mock thoughtfulness, enjoying Payal's sigh of indignation.

"But Akash, won't you join AR back? If not that, at least let's stay with Maa and Papa?" Akash's smile faded. "No Payal. I'm ever grateful to all of them, but I need to find my own footing." Payal's pride towards her husband grew, along with a blush as he bent to kiss her swollen belly.

"Thank you Payal." Payal placed her hand over his, reading the words hidden under his choked voice. "You were my shadow Akash. You didn't leave me in the dark, you just weren't visible then."

-------------

"Hi Aman, it's Anjali here." Anjali said, confused at her own anticipation as Aman cleared his throat "Yes An... Miss. Raizada. How're you? And how's Aarav?"

"I'm fine... and Aarav,"

Aarav looked up, his eyes shining bright as he squealed "Phone for me amma? Hello, hello! I'm Aarav." Anjali rolled her eyes and chuckled "Yes it's from Aman."

"Hello Aman Uncle. How are you? How's office? When are you going to visit us?"

Aman's eyes widened at the number of questions Aarav shot at him "Hey here buddy! How will I ever answer all the questions at once!" Anjali laughed at Aman's predicament, laughing even harder as Aarav shyly went back to his drawing book in embarrassment.

"He's opened up. Glad to see that." Anjali nodded in agreement. "So Aman, is Khushi fine?"

"She's terrible without sir, if that counts good news for you." Anjali's smile grew at that thought "As long as it doesn't hurt her heart too bad."

"Don't worry ma'am, I'll keep you posted."

"Don't call me ma'am."

"Anjali, then?" Anjali was taken aback by his abrupt change. She had waited for a prolonged battle of chivalry but for once, the no-nonsense-straight-to-the-point appealed to her even more than she expected.

"That sounds great. Take care and if there's any need then don't hesitate to call, or inform." Anjali added.

"I won't hesitate. Take care. And..." Anjali waited.

"Nothing. Just take care, I mean if you want to say about something else... bye." Aman cussed under his breath while Anjali stifled a chuckle.

"I'll take that offer up soon. Bye Aman." Anjali cut the call, only realising that she had held her breath tight.

Aman kept his cell away, trying to maintain his expressionless mode. Though the reflection in the glass showed a goofy smile. Anjali shook her head at the immaturity, friendship - that's all that it was. And it was delightfully refreshing!

--------

The blurry vision of the ghat cleared once Khushi blinked her teary eyes. Payal's words hung heavy in her head. For a moment she let herself be, soaking in the air around her, her mind running without any trail of thought.

"Happy Navratri!" Khushi turned to find a well dressed Aman smiling at her.

Standing up, she became embarrassed realising that it was three days after her arrival did she notice that Aman was the other person accompanying her on this trip. "Amanji, I'm so sorry I didn't even realise..."

"It's absolutely fine! In fact I left the hotel once I reached here. You see, my family lives here."

"Really! You should have told me before!" Khushi said.

Aman reached into a packet and held out a box for Khushi. "My mother sent this for you, it's home made. I hope you like it."

"Amanji what was the necessity of troubling your mother? As far as sweets are concerned, I'll love them. Thank you so much." Khushi smiled, the essence of sweet teasing her nostrils.

"No issues. Honestly, you're missing the actual view. If you go towards the patio by the pool, you'll get a wonderful sight of the evening aarti. It's a treat for sore eyes during Navratri. As a child I used to run to the roof of my house to see it every night!" Their conversation was interrupted as Aman's mother called him.

"Aman, I know your sir must have hounded you to stay here like a security camera..." Aman laughed, not bothering to correct Khushi's accurate assumptions "But I insist that you go back to your family and spend the rest of the days with them."

For once, Aman didn't mind beaming at her suggestion. Khushi smiled at his retreating figure, looking down at the tiffin box in her hands. She would definitely drop by Aman's house for this lovely gesture.

Her smile grew as she found delicious, freshly cooked jalebis. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the sugary smell, one that brought many bittersweet memories along with it. Hastily taking two warm jalebis out of the box, wonder shone in her eyes as she munched on the crispy sweetness. The flavours hit her like never before.

A flavour of hope.

The silent chants beckoned her once again. A thousand diyas glittered as the ganges leaped into a life of its own. It was a sight so beautiful that Khushi nearly lost her footing as she approached the patio.

But she wasn't looking at Devi Maiyya.

It was him.

---------------

He stopped her fall, again.

Khushi never knew the colour black could be so dear, until it was what her husband chose to wear. Several questions threatened their silence, but she remained mum. If this was magic, let it be so.

His bleak black suit creased as he bent to make her sit on a nearby chair. Arnav paused for a moment, uncertain when her hazy eyes met his. Their breathing grew harsher by the moment, bodies taut with tension as they exchanged a noiseless heart-to-heart.

A sharp gasp left her mouth when a hot tear fell on her feet. Her hands had a life of their own, cupping his stubbled cheek. Arnav closed his eyes, relishing as she brushed away the moisture. Her fingertips ran numb when his hand clasped around her ankle, raising her delicate foot on his knee.

"Arnav..."

"Khushi..."

Khushi's eyebrows nearly met her hairline the moment Arnav fished out an object from his pocket. Her mother's anklets. Quaking in anticipation, she clutched fistfuls of her saree. Arnav grazed his fingers on her skin, clasping the frail silver jewellery to adorn her ankles.

The lights around were pale than the shine in his eyes when he held her close, not enough for his liking, but close. Resting his forehead on hers, he said "Every single time I've thrown a blanket over what's happened. Never apologised enough for ruining you," He shook his head, stopping her from interrupting him.

"This time I promise to not repeat my mistakes. Shout at me when I'm blackmailing you, hurt me when I ignore you... do whatever it takes but... don't leave me baby. There's no Arnav, no ASR, without his Khushi." Arnav swallowed tightly, lacing his fingers with hers.

"I am so sorry Khushi. So sorry."

"I am sorry too." Arnav looked up, surprised.

"How would you know my feelings if I stopped telling you. Everyone began to matter except the two of us. You wanted to take me out, so many times, but I broke your plans for my childish reasons. There's one thing about being immature and another being blind." She said, flicking off invisible dust from his coat with her hand gently coming to rest on his chest.

For a moment they let silence envelop them.

Arnav watched with amazement when her eyes fluttered shut at his caress. Weighing his words, he begged "Come back home, it's not the same without you."

A chuckle left her lips, with a tear rolling down her cheek "I am home!" She exclaimed, smiling at his naïveté to not understanding her. Placing his hand on her raging heart, Khushi repeated "I am home." Arnav's palm closed above hers, realization dawning on him.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

The diyas stood like a mere spark next to the flame in his eyes. How strange it was for them to think love was easy. If it was, it wasn't love. Desire and dreams fluttered their wings in the lovers' hearts.

We will take our baby steps, one at a time... but a step forward.

Khushi's eyes softened when she saw that not even once did he note her red saree. Tears clogged her throat in realization that it never was her clothes nor form to attract his attention.

It had just been her.

Only her.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, her cupped her nape ever so tenderly and did what he should have done years ago at the night of Diwali.

He kissed her.

-------

FIN

--------

My dearest readers,

With this, this journey of Arnav and Khushi comes to an end! I can't tell how overwhelmed I feel. Your love and continued support to the story has made all the difference! Thank you for sticking on and please comment/vote/share/like or use any way to express your feelings for this story!

Sincerely,

Jappa Satya

P.S : Yes, there 'may' be an epilogue which could be an independent two/three shot. It won't be an exact epilogue for I believe this story meets its end here, but the little afters would have this background of the Raizada and Gupta family. Cheers! Also don't forget to check out the Q&A page for the family links! 

If you're interested in checking any VMs - check out Elated Pictures on Vimeo. There are over twenty of them!