14. In Arnavji's Arms


Khushi ran frantically away from the mad beast, clutching the torn arm of her blouse. She made for Arnavji's room, praying that he would be there. There was no other safe harbour in her mind, no refuge for her hurt soul other than him anymore... "Arnavji...Arnavji...", she chanted silently in her mind as she made her way towards him, unsteady on her feet.

He stood by the pool, looking into the waters reflecting the lights strung around to celebrate Payal & Akash's sangeet. The competitions had gone very well, and he had spent the entire evening watching her. Even while greeting other guests, his attention had been on her. He had watched her dance, twirling in her beautiful lehenga, the cynosure of all eyes... Her smiles, her dance movements, her joy, her laughter as she teased Payal & Akash, they were all etched on his mind. He had shocked her with his participation, he smiled in remembrance.
But for his change of mind, he would have won the prize. He smiled. She had wanted the Nataraja. He had seen the love in her eyes when Nani had taken the murthi from its silver box. She had looked at it as she had once looked at him, still looked at him when she couldn't hide it any longer, when she thought he wasn't looking...

He had won the real prize, he smiled. The glee on her face. Jumping up & down like a kid. He had wanted to share her joy, laugh out aloud... but his rusty muscles hadn't co-operated. She had turned to him, seen the indulgent smile in his eyes, and revealed all her love for him. NK had been congratulating her. She hadn't heard him. Di had been hugging her. Khushi hadn't felt the hug. Buaji had been waiting in line to grab her in her arms, but Khushi hadn't seen her. All her attention, all her senses, all her love had been focused on him...only him. He swallowed, feeling a sense of tightness in his throat.

Khushi opened the door to Arnavji's room, and rushed inside, searching for him but unable to make a sound to call him to her aid. Half-way across the room, she realised in horror that she had left the door open. She stumbled back to close the door, her legs trembling and her heart racing. She leaned against the locked door, putting a hand to her heart to calm it. She was in his room, surrounded by his presence. She could feel him all around her... his heady fragrance that always overpowered her senses, his clothes dropped carelessly on a chair, as familiar to her as her own, his laptop his constant companion, his blanket that warmed him on cold nights, his pillow that cushioned his weary head... She moved to his bed and sat down heavily, panting.

She had stepped on her dupatta during the dance, and had taken the first opportunity to find a quiet spot to unpin it and fix the tear. She hadn't noticed Shyamji till it had been too late. He had blocked her way out of the corner, and had pleaded with her to listen to him. She had made it very clear to him that he did not exist for her. Then he had become angry. She had seen the mad rage in his eyes, the curl of his lips... He had made a snide remark about Nanheji & her, and disgusted, she had tried to leave. She hadn't seen the slap coming. It had rocked her. She had fallen against the wall, the dupatta slipping from her fingers on to the marble floor. He had fallen on her, his fingers tearing into her blouse.

She shuddered, and her hands reached out for Arnavji's pillow. It smelt of him. She hugged it close to her heart, and buried her face in it... She didn't know how she had managed to dislodge him. But she had. Devi Maiyya had protected her again. She had run from the scene, deaf to Shyamji's call, desperate to reach Arnavji.

Arnav stood shocked, watching Khushi sitting on his bed, cuddling his pillow. Her blouse was torn, dupatta lost, hair unkempt, and body shivering. His numb limbs refused to move towards her, his eyes unable to believe what they were seeing. Then anger thawed the numbness. What had happened to her? Who had...? How dare they...? In his house...

"Khushi..", he called in a strangled tone.

Khushi looked up. She flew like the wind into his arms. Her fingers clawed at his back, trying to hold him as close to her as possible. His arms gathered her to lie against his warmth. She was safe. "Arnavji...Arnavji...", she whimpered.

"Khushi...who hurt you? Who? Khushi, dammit, tell me. Tell me..."

She looked into his eyes, eyes reflecting worry for her, burning rage against her attacker, pain at her pain, anxiety at her continuing silence...and love. Unspoken, but very much there.

It was time to tell him the whole truth. Only he could handle Shyamji now.