Zaroori Tha means It was Necessary

This one shot is written for the warm up challenge by #TARDSAMS

Thanks for the Tag tarsams SaiSreeGouarshi

I would love to dedicate this os to ChasingDay - you once asked me to write a story with Sheetal in it.. and here, it is..!

Theme Song : Rahath Fateh Ali Khan - Zaroori Tha

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I won't call you My life,
But My Necessity to breath

I won't say you're beautiful,
You are My Necessity to view

I won't ask, Will You?
Because staying with you, is My Necessity

I won't have it, more or less
As Loving You is My Necessity

-Only Yours, Arnav

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Khushi read those lines for umpteenth time before folding back the letter and keeping it inside her diary. Her eyes moistened, hand shivered, making another Memory peek out of it, as the diary fell down.

Rose

That dry rose, brought another set of memories .. of good times .. of times, when he proposed her.

The phone ring broke her trance, she wiped her eyes and received the call

"Morning Mam, the appointed clients have arrived for the meet" the receptionist informed her

"Send them in" Khushi finished it short

She bent down to pick her dairy when she heard the door knock. she abruptly kept the diary in table and sat properly

"Come in" she said in a business like tone

And the clients who came in, gave her the shock of life

Arnav Singh Raizada stood in all his glory, hand in hand with Sheetal kapoor

Khushi stood up with shock and pain evident on her face while He just kept noticing her reactions

"Umm.. Hi Khushi" Sheetal came forward and started the conversation seeing both Arnav and Khushi lost in each other

"Hello" Khushi composed herself and greeted back

"Wo ... actually .. Our Marriage is fixed by end of this month.. It all happened so hurriedly .. His family.. wanted it to happen soon, they wanted Arnav to get settled and .. as the time is less, we wanted the help of a planner, So Arnav told when we have a wedding planner in our friend circle , why would we go to someone else? Will you help us, Khushi?" Sheetal hesitated while completing the sentence

"Haan? .. " Khushi was in a turmoil, her heart was paining like someone has just broke it with a hammer and stepping on it again and again, she shivered with the intensity of Arnav's eyes which were accusing her and stabbing the remaining pieces of her heart

"Oh..! Come on Sheetal. I'm sure Khushi won't refuse her best friend. Isn't it Khushi?" Sarcasm dripped with Arnav's words

"Khushi?" Sheetal called again hearing no response from her

"No... No, I can't" the shiver in Khushi's voice wasn't unnoticed by Arnav

"Why not?" Arnav raised his eyebrow while his face reflected anger

"I've other appointments set for next two months" Khushi replied with irritation

"It's okay, Khushi. We understand. Profession comes first" before Arnav could say anything, Sheetal replied

Khushi just nodded in response while Arnav stood staring at her. Sheetal broke their eyelock yet again , by hugging Khushi

"Thanks for refusing. It would've turned really awkward, otherwise" whispered Sheetal still in hug

Arnav looked away to ignore their bonding.

"Congratulations to you both" Khushi fake smiled, keeping a huge stone in her heart while wishing them after coming out of hug

Sheetal smiled her Thanks while Arnav glared at Khushi, more if that was even possible

"Let's go Arnav" Sheetal dragged him out as he was lost in a web named Khushi

She turned back after they went out, and shouted in agony. She pushed things below the table making the same letter fall on her feet. A maddening rage came over her as she picked the paper and burnt it in to ashes.. as the river of tears kept falling off her eyes!

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Lafz kitne hi tere pairon se lipte honge

Numerous words must have clung to your feet,

Tune jab aakhri khat mera jalaya hoga

when you burnt the last letter of mine

Tune jab phool kitabon se nikale honge

when you removed flowers from books,

Dene waala bhi tujhe yaad toh aaya hoga

you must have remembered the one who gave, too

Teri Aankhon ke dariya ka utarna bhi zaroori tha

It was necessary for the river of your eyes to come down

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Khushi ran inside her room with hurried steps.. she opened the cupboard locker and started looking for something like a maniac until her hand caught hold of what she was searching for.

A Silver Chain with heart pendant

It was his gift to her, the heart pendant had both of their photo on each side.

Though she took it to destroy it's being, just like the letter.. but she couldn't bring herself to do so.

He had given it to her with so much of Love and in turn what she did? Crushed his hopes!

Yes, She was the one to push him away! she was the one who rejected his Proposal. And she does not regret it at all. She's Broken, Yes .. but Regretful, NO!

She hated herself for being so weak, why can't she just let it go now?

She has to let go before the Inevitable happens.. she determined herself before taking her phone and messaging him

"I just wanted to see you happy" she sent it to him without thinking much on the words

This message will surely let him know, how much she cares for him. Yes, this is the only way she can lessen the bitterness between them. He will understand that all she did was for his Happiness. It was for his own good.

She smiled anticipating his positive reply and then she can may be let him know, Why she refused him, in past?!

He'll understand her, don't he?

Then may be, she can have some more good memories with him, until he marries Sheetal.

The phone beeped with the notification of his message

"You are No one, to Think about my Happiness" His reply wiped off her smile, may be Forever

What was she thinking while messaging him? why would she even message him after all that happened? How much more stupid She can be?

She chided herself and threw the phone breaking it into pieces just like her heart, while tears after tears kept pouring out of her eyes..!

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Mohabbat bhi zaroori thi,

The love was necessary,

Bichadna bhi zaroori tha

And the separation was necessary too

Zaroori tha ke hum dono tawafy arzoo karte

It was necessary that we both
had lots of wishes

Magar phir arzoo-on ka bikharna bhi zaroori tha

but then the falling off of the wishes
was necessary too

Teri aankhon ke dariya ka utarna bhi zaroori tha

It was necessary for the river of your eyes to come down

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*Flashback Starts*

"Khushi, I know.. the letter and the rose, I sent to you was not enough. I've to be more clear and I have to say it upfront, rather than sending you the message because of Feeling nervous or awkward. I Love You Khushi.. I love you so much" Arnav confessed love with his eyes closed while those words jolted her being, they gave new meaning to her life

They had been studying in same college for two years now, he was a year senior to her, they met in canteen and that was their usual meet spot with their own friends gang, Arnav with Akash where as Khushi with Payal and Sheetal. His friend Akash was engaged to her friend Payal and that's how the different groups have been bonded together.

He came forward and tied a heart shaped chain in her neck and asked her to open and see it. It had their pictures on each side.

Happiness erupted inside her but she hid it very well, he had made it all so special for her and she will return him all the love, but no less than this!

"Why aren't you replying Khushi? Is it too soon? Do you need some time?" Arnav gulped seeing her expressionless face

"umm.. yes, Arnav.. I do, need some time" She masked her happiness and faked as confused

"It's .. it's alright Khushi.. take your time.. " Though her reply had made him upset, he tried to be supportive while she hid her smile

After few days

"Where had you been Khushi? Do you know, how worried I was? Is it because of my confession? Say Khushi..! Why don't you reply, dammit?" Arnav shouted after watching her attending college after a week absence

"I'm sorry Arnav" she said in a low voice

"Hey.. you need not be .. Actually, I shouldn't have shouted like that .. are you alright?" He cupped her cheek

"I'm not saying sorry for this" she pushed his hand back

"Then, what Khushi?" He asked with patience though he felt something's really wrong

"I reject your proposal" She looked him in the eye while he stood too Shocked to react

"But Khushi?" He whispered painfully

"I hope, you won't nag me henceforth and Respect my freedom of decision" She replied bluntly, interrupting him

*Flashback ends*

She picked the red gown, still lost in the web of past.. She came back to reality, feeling a pull from other side of the gown.

That's when she saw Sheetal standing at the other side. Both realized that they have selected the same gown

What an irony?

"Uhh.. Hi Khushi, How are you?" Sheetal asked after coincidentally meeting her friend in a shopping mall

"Living" Khushi chose exact word to reply

Who better than, sheetal would know this?

Yes, Khushi was the one who pushed sheetal towards Arnav after she herself rejected him and Sheetal knew, why!

Before sheetal could say something, Arnav came there, after finishing his official call

Arnav Khushi stood speechless after looking at each other, yet again

"I have to go. Bye" Khushi went away, suddenly remembering of the message she sent, also his heart rendering reply to that

But This meet was sure fruitful for Arnav, as he saw what he had to

Khushi ran out of the mall and cried her heart out.. why destiny is being so cruel to her?

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Batao yaad hai tumko woh jab dil ko churaya tha

Tell me do you remember when you stole my heart

Churayi cheez ko tumne khuda ka ghar banaya tha

And you made the stolen thing the house of God

Woh jab kehte the mera naam tum tasbeeh mein padhte ho

When you used to say that you say my name while praying

Mohabbat ki namazo ko qaza karne se darte ho

And are afraid of delaying the prayers of love

Magar ab yaad aata hai woh baatein thi mehez baatein

Those talks were just mere sayings,

Kahin baaton hi baaton mein mukarna bhi zaroori tha

And somewhere, it was necessary to drift away from those talks

Teri Aankhon ke dariya ka utarna bhi zaroori tha

It was necessary for the river of your eyes to come down

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Khushi hurried inside the cabin

"What is it, Khushi? Any problem?" Doctor Batra asked her

"Yes, Doctor.. I want to stop these medications.. I don't want any hope.. there's no use.. there's nothing left for me, to live.. anyways" She hiccuped while saying

"Khushi?" She froze hearing a familiar voice and turned back to see Arnav standing with an expression which screamed much more than pain

"Excuse Me" the doctor went out, giving them privacy

"What the hell, is this .. Khushi?" He came forward like a predator and held her shoulders

"It's none of your business" she screamed back, pushing him away

"Shut up..! Shut the hell, dammit! What do you think of yourself, that you are so great.. Haan? What was that? Let's sacrifice and give my love in charity, because I'm going to die, anyways .. isn't it?" He breathed fire with each of his word

"I don't know what you are talking about!" She turned back other side

"Obviously. You don't know, anything. You fool..!" He sounded sarcastic

"Leave me alone, Arnav.. remember? I'm No one to you!" She tried reminding him of the message

"Oh really! If that's the case, then why are you wearing this chain Miss.Khushi Gupta , care to explain?"

Yes, Arnav had seen the chain on her neck in the Mall and hence he followed her even after sheetal tried to stop him

Khushi didn't know what to reply, after taking the chain out from locker, she couldn't help but to wear it so that she can feel close to her love, her Arnav.

"If you are so much keen to know about this. Then, you could've replied cordially to my message" She displayed her anger

"Message? Which message, are you talking about..? I swear khushi, I didn't read any of your message!" Arnav was perplexed and so was Khushi

He showed his mobile phone to her and indeed there was no message. she knows him too well, he never lies. period

Was it her hallucination, then?

She gulped and looked in his eyes, which have so much love, and concern for her.. how could she leave this man? But leaving him was the only option she had.. didn't she?

But now, whatever may happen. She' wants to die peacefully. She will let him know each and everything, and the Truth, only!

"You want to know, why am I wearing this, right? Because I love you Arnav.. I love you so much .. more than you can imagine .. I have always loved you .. but was afraid to confess, because I didn't wanted to loss you .. When you proposed me, I was so ecstatic .. that was a pure euphoric moment for me. I also wanted to confess my love for you.. but in a special way .. hence I stopped myself from replying back to you ,the same day ... " She told all this with a smile which also reflected in his face

"Then, why did you rejected the proposal Khushi?" Though, he guessed it all, He still encouraged her to continue as she went all silent after that

"Because, I discovered two things.. one .. That there's no guarantee of my life and I have countable days to live.. two .. that sheetal loves you" She told as a matter of fact

"So You thought to sacrifice your love..! Khushi .. if you loved or trusted me, you should've shared it with me.. we could've tackled the problem together. But no, you send sheetal to me.. do you know I didn't even cared a whit about her? She was always behind me Khushi.. I don't know if I was doing injustice to her.. but I always thought about you.. she started getting along with my family and they wanted me to settle with her, so that I can come out of my grief.. believe me Khushi, even If I would've married her.. both of our lives would have been spoilt ..!!! And now if we talk about your illness.. trust me Khushi, I won't let anything happen to you.. I will always stay beside you, no matter what!" He completed cupping her cheek

She rubbed his hands with affection, and then hugged him tight, while he completed the hug. For the first time.. she's letting all her fears go.. She will fight with her illness. Yes.. she won't leave him now, but what about Sheetal?

Thinking of which, brought more tears in her eyes than the smile on her lips!

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Wahin hai sooratein apni, wahin main hoon wahin tum ho

We have the same faces, it's the same me and the same you

Magar khoyi huyi hoon main,

But I am lost,

Magar tum bhi kahin gum ho

And you're lost somewhere too

Mohabbat mein daga ki thi jo kaafir they so kaafir hain

I had ditched in love, so I was unbeliever, and so I still am.

Mili hai manzilein phir bhi musaafir they, musaafir hain

I have found my destinations, and still I am a traveller as I was.

Tere dil ke nikaale hum kahaan bhatke, kahaan pahunche

Removed from your heart, to where I wandered and where I have reached

Magar bhatke toh yaad aaya bhatakna bhi zaroori tha

But when I wandered, I realized, that it was necessary to wander too

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After Two days

"Yes, Mr.Raizada .. I'm sure .. Khushi is safe, she is out of danger.. there's no life threat to her" hearing it made both Arnav and Khsuhi happy to the core

"What Happened Khushi, why are you holding back yourself?" Asked Arnav as soon as they got seated in car

"I'm happy Arnav" she said with a smile

"I know, but there's something missing.. are you still thinking about Sheetal? Oh come on Khushi, I apologized to her and her family.. we weren't meant to be. You and Me are made for each other.. so come on, give me your real smile.."

Yes, she knows he apologized. But still, why didn't sheetal talk to her after that? She had called and messaged her many times but there was no response from sheetal..! Is she so much Angry on her .. she is meant to be.. isn't she?

When Khushi still didn't smiled fully, he started tickling her to which she repeated his actions and both erupted in laughter.

However Khushi may try to be happy with her love, but the guilt was eating her..!

Arnav dropped Khushi in her office and went to his own, not before kissing and waving her a good bye.

"Afternoon Mam. You have this courier from Ms.Sheetal Kapoor" Receptionist gave her an envelope as soon as Khushi entered her office

What did Sheetal sent her?

She hurried inside her cabin and started opening the envelope to reveal a letter

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Dear Khushi,

Hope you are doing well. Why won't you, anyways. You have everything you ever wanted. Everything, Including Your love and good health. Wondering, how I know about the latter..? Let me tell you a story!

Once there were two best friends. One used to top in all the things she do and the other, she just wasted her time being jealous of her friend. Yes Khushi, that's us.

I was always jealous of You. Your Beauty. Your Marks. Your Skills. Your happy Family.. and everything that you owned .. with which later included, Your love, Arnav.

I lost everything while you always gained it all. But I wanted Arnav for myself, this time I wasn't ready to lose anything more.. I heard him proposing you .. and you asking for time..

Later, I made a plan .. I started giving you some medication through food, which showed weird symptoms in your body. Then I took you to my Family doctor, the only trusted person I had.. I made him lie that you have only few months or years to live.

I knew, you will try to distance from Arnav after that.. and that's what happened. I purposely revealed to you that I love Arnav and you asked me to go to him.. to stay beside him .. to show, how much I love him ..

Trust Me Khushi, I tried..I tried so hard to gain his love .. but no, he never gave me a second glance .. I was as good as non existent to him. Hence, I put the idea of our marriage in his family's mind. And finally, they forced him to settle with me.

But still, he wanted you to plan for our wedding. May be, he wanted to show you that he's not happy with me.. that he's not living like he used to, when he was with you.

From the time, he saw you he was more and more lost in the old times. I hated it .. I hated that you still have the power to hold his thoughts when I was going to be his wife.. that's when I saw your message in his phone.. I replied with hate filled words .. so that you stop coming in between us.. but what a fool, I was .. who never realized it was actually me .. who came in between you both..

And see, that's why when he saw you still wearing his gift ,he ran behind you.. I tried.. I tried yet again to stop him . But no, he just went away.. so far.. Though, he came back next day.. yes he did, but only to Apologise!

I had a hard time realizing, but I finally realized.. He was never mine .. He was yours and will remain so forever.

I'm guilty for making you live a lie all these months.. but I won't ask for your Forgiveness. I know, I can't be forgiven. But I wanted to disclose my side of story so that I can free You from guilt .. for I know, my innocent friend would be still blaming herself for whatever happened.

See na Khushi. Now you are free from pain, guilt and I have to live with them, as heavy as mountain for my whole life. And I'm so jealous of you, for this !

Please, don't let anyone know of this letter .. burn it into ashes .. and let me a bit free of this guilt.. I promise, I won't ever come into your life. Erase me from your memory as by when you will be having finished reading this letter. I would have gone!

-Yours, Once Jealous friend
Sheetal kapoor

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Khushi slumped down with a thud as she finished reading the letter, her cries echoed in whole of the cabin..

and let me a bit free of this guilt

Khushi wiped her face and got up to search for a lighter.. she burnt the letter as soon as she gotten hand on it.

"I forgive you, my dear friend" She cried while the paper kept burning in to ashes just like her guilt

The river of tears, kept falling off her eyes.. but wasn't it necessary?

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Mohabbat bhi zaroori thi,

The love was necessary,

Bichadna bhi zaroori tha

And the separation was necessary too.

Zaroori tha ke hum dono tawafy arzoo karte

It was necessary that we both had lots of wishes

Magar phir arzoo-on ka bikharna bhi zaroori tha

but then the falling off of the wishes
was necessary too

Teri Aankhon ke dariya ka utarna bhi zaroori tha

It was necessary for the river of your eyes to come down

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Phewww!!! Almost, 4000 words .. thought and penned in one day!

I'm so curious to know all of your reactions .. How was it?

Do let me know through, votes and comments..!

With love, ❤
Uzma