Some confessions happen over candlelight dinners. Some... happen in the most unexpected places-with tangled sarees, hidden hearts, and one intense stare that says it all.
-×-
Shantivan - Storeroom - Late Evening
Khushi had been sent to the storeroom by Mamiji to fetch some old saree boxes. With the house plunged into semi-darkness due to a brief power cut, she cautiously stepped inside, holding a small torch.
Khushi (muttering):
"Mamiji bhi na... raat ke andhere mein yeh kaunse designer saree ki talaash ho rahi hai?"
She pulled a box off the top shelf, but the edge caught the pallu of her saree. With a startled squeak, she stumbled backward-straight into someone's arms.
Khushi (shocked):
"Aap?!"
Arnav (steadying her):
"Haan main. Tumhare bina andhera kaise bardaasht karta?"
Her heart skipped a beat.
Khushi (trying to move away):
"Main bas... saree lene aayi thi."
Arnav (still holding her):
"Main bhi. Tum."
She frowned, flustered and flinching under the intensity in his gaze.
Khushi:
"Aapko... kuch kaam tha kya?"
Arnav (softly):
"Khushi... mujhe kuch kehna hai."
She looked up at him, the flickering light of her torch playing over his face.
Khushi:
"Kya?"
He gently tucked her hair behind her ear, then cupped her face.
Arnav:
"Mujhe tumse pyar ho gaya hai."
The torch slipped from her hand and landed with a dull thud. Darkness surrounded them, but neither moved.
Khushi (barely a whisper):
"Kya kaha aapne?"
Arnav (steady, intense):
"Main tumse mohabbat karta hoon, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. Itni... ki jab tum dard mein hoti ho, mera dil tut jaata hai. Jab tum hasta ho, lagta hai zindagi jeet gaya hoon."
Tears welled up in her eyes. She placed a trembling hand on his chest.
Khushi:
"Mujhe laga tha... aap kabhi kabool nahi karenge..."
Arnav (whispering):
"Mujhe samajhne mein waqt laga. Par ab... main sure hoon. Tum ho. Sirf tum."
Khushi (soft laugh through tears):
"Main toh hamesha sure thi. Pehli baar jab aapne mujhe terrace se neeche girne se bachaya tha..."
He leaned in and rested his forehead against hers.
Arnav:
"Sorry... uss shaadi ke liye... uss dard ke liye..."
Khushi:
"Aur main un lamhon ke liye jo sirf humare the... aur maine unhein sirf jhagde mein zaya kar diya..."
They stayed like that, in the quiet comfort of darkness, tangled in sarees and sincerity.
-×-
Later - Poolside
The stars sparkled above. Arnav brought two cups of chai and handed one to Khushi.
Arnav:
"Ek naya start? Sach mein?"
Khushi (smiling softly):
"Haan. Jahan pyaar ho, wahi se shuruat hoti hai."
He clinked his cup with hers.
Arnav:
"Toh yeh raha... ASR ka official confession."
She giggled.
Khushi:
"Late aaya, par asli tha."
Arnav:
"Tum bhi meri life mein ekdum accident jaise aayi thi..."
Khushi (smirking):
"Toh phir... main aapki zindagi ka best accident hoon."
He laughed, genuinely.
And for the first time, there were no misunderstandings. No pain. Just love.
-×-
To be continued...
Next Up: Chapter 22 - A Storm Called Shyam
By
Muskan Tarway
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