Chapter Thirteen

It was safe to say that after the encounter in their bedroom, both Arnav and Khushi were now in an awkward state. Neither knew what to say nor what to do when they saw the other. Both felt slightly embarrassed of what had happened but to tell you the truth, neither regretted it.

Nope neither did, not one bit, especially not Arnav. One evening, as he sat out on the balcony, working on his laptop, he thought back to the first time he had met Khushi in the hospital. On that day, he didn't understand what it was that drew him to her so much. He still didn't understand what it was that when Khushi had agreed to marry him, had made him kiss her hand, as if he had known her for some time. But he had done it, and he had indeed done more within the time span of their marriage.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Arnav looked back into the room. Khushi still wasn't here and Arnav was curious as to where she was, so he got up to look for her. As he walked down the hall and made his way downstairs, Arnav heard her voice and headed to the family room. There, he saw his sister in-law, Khushi, and his niece sitting in Khushi's lap. Maya was smiling away as she blabbered on about her day at pre-school and Khushi listened with complete interest. It was a rather pleasant sight for Arnav to see, seeing how happy Khushi was.

Maybe someday Khushi will be this happy with our child- our child?!

Arnav couldn't believe the thought that had crossed his mind. Nowhere was he and Khushi that close, so he was amazed at the thought of the two of them having a child.

I'm getting ahead of myself.

"Arnav!"

Both Khushi and Mona looked up as Arnav turned around at the sound of Sheetal's voice.

"Hey bud, what're you up to," Sheetal grinned.

"I'm fine, I was just taking a break from work."

"You and your work," Sheetal huffed. "Do you ever take a break?"

Arnav rolled his eyes.

Sheetal looked past Arnav and saw the others. "Hi Bhabi, hi Khushi!"

She entered the room and went over to the ladies. Arnav took this opportunity and entered the room, going over to Khushi. Khushi noticed him as he got closer and just as her brain was about to enter panic mode, Arnav knelt down in front of her and played with Maya. Khushi immediately relaxed and then wondered why all of sudden she felt panicked by Arnav coming close to her, as if he hadn't been closer to her than that before.

Khushi looked up at Arnav through her lashes. Maya had moved out of her lap and into Arnav's, holding his face as she told him about what she did at pre-school earlier today. The way Arnav paid attention to her every word, made Khushi's heart blossom.

If we had a daughter- a daughter?!

Khushi glanced around, making sure that she hadn't voiced her own thoughts and by the looks of things, she hadn't. She turned her attention back to Arnav and Maya.

I'm getting way too ahead of myself.

From the corner of her eyes, Khushi noticed Sheetal and looked at her. She watched Sheetal look at Arnav with admiration and she turned her attention back to Arnav, who was nuzzling Maya.

The way she's looking at him... maybe I did come in between the two.

Feeling her heart pit, Khushi got up.

Mona looked up at her. "Khushi, what's wrong?"

Khushi shook her head. "Nothing Bhabi, I'm just gonna go check up on dinner."

Mona nodded and Khushi left, Arnav glancing at her as she left.

Khushi entered the kitchen and leaned against the wall.

Why did this have to happen to me? Why did I have to fall for someone who can't be mine, who is already taken?

Tears brimmed in Khushi's eyes, and she quickly shut them and tried to make them go away.

I never should have agreed to marry him.

*~*

Sheetal had stayed over for dinner and through it's entirety, Khushi had watched as she and Arnav were animated in conversation, whether it was about work or something else. Later on the two had disappeared upstairs to discuss some work things and Khushi stayed downstairs. She distracted herself with Mona and Maya, but soon enough it was time for her to go upstairs for her dressing.

As the nurse worked away, Khushi thought back to that day and the moment she had shared with Arnav. She remembered the way his eyes were glued to her, refusing to drop. She remembered the touch of his fingertips against her flesh. She remembered the feel of his soft lips on her and the way he nibbled her neck. She remembered all of it.

"Are you okay Khushi?"

"Hmm?"

Khushi snapped out of her trance, turning her attention back to the nurse.

"You seem distracted."

Khushi shook her head. "It's nothing really."

The nurse nodded. "Okay," and she went back to her work. "I think it's still sweet that your husband respects you and gives you privacy during your dressings. Most men don't have that kind of courtesy anymore."

Khushi simply hummed in response.

"He must really respect you, care for you."

Does he care for me? Or does he care more about Sheetal?

The thought of them still being together, even if they were talking about work, made Khushi slightly jealous. She felt slightly silly because she knew the two were best friends, but still, she couldn't help it.

The nurse finished up and left the room. With a sigh, Khushi changed into her nightwear and got into bed, grabbing her book. Not long later, Arnav returned. The two looked at each other for a moment, but didn't speak a word. Arnav changed up into his PJs and got into his side of the bed, laptop in hand. Both stayed silent, not saying a single word and focusing on what they were doing.

It was only some time later when a ringing went off. It was Sheetal calling Arnav on video chat, and Arnav took the call.

"Hey Arnav, did I disturb you," she said.

"No, I was going through some emails. What's up?"

"In all the talk about the Thailand thing, I completely forgot to mention something."

"What?"

"I was going to ask you if you got the email about our high school reunion?"

High school reunion? Now this had caught Khushi's attention.

"I just saw it," Arnav sighed.

"Well, are you going?"

"Come on Sheetal, you know how I feel about these things."

"Oh come on, stop being such a bore! You should totally go! And take Khushi with you!"

Khushi looked up from her novel and glanced at the screen before looking up at Arnav, who was already looking at her.

"You should totally go, it could be like your couple's debut or something."

"I don't know," Arnav said, looking back to the screen.

"Think about it. I know I'm going, you guys should totally come. Besides, if you don't I'm gonna end up being so bored yaar," she pouted.

"Alright, I'll think about it and let you know."

"Great! See you tomorrow at the office," and she disconnected the call.

Arnav shut his laptop and got up to put it on his desk, and Khushi shut her book and placed it on the bedside table. She laid down and turned to her side, and Arnav returned and shut the lights off. Khushi felt him as he laid down, but didn't say anything.

"I normally don't go to these types of things," Arnav suddenly said. "But if you want, then we could go."

Khushi looked down. "It's your reunion," she said softly. "If you don't want to go, then we don't have to."

"Hmm."

Neither said anything else and slowly dosed off into sleep. As the night progressed, like many nights before, the two slowly made their way closer to the other and woke up in each other's arms. Only this time, it was Arnav who woke up first.

The first thing Arnav saw that morning was Khushi's serene face, nuzzled into him as her fragile hand clenched onto his shirt. She looked so at peace that Arnav didn't want to move, afraid of awaking her. He simply laid there and gazed at her, his hand reaching up and running through her long dark locks. A few moments passed when suddenly, Khushi's face contorted. Arnav looked at her curiously as her grip on his shirt tightened. She muttered a few words, but Arnav couldn't make it out. She began to whimper and mumbled some more, her body beginning to shake a little.

"Arnav," he heard her mumble softly.

What the?

"Arnav," she repeated.

Her grip tightened even more as she began to look panicked. Little beads of sweat formed on her forehead and she whimpered even louder, his name pouring from her lips a few times more.

"Arnav!"

"Hush Khushi, I'm here," he soothed.

Arnav brought his hand to her cheek and caressed it. "I'm right here Khushi, it's okay."

Khushi's face scrunched up even more, as the look of pain spread across her face. "Arnav!"

"I'm right Khushi, I'm right here, it's just a bad dream, I'm right here."

Khushi grunted and groaned and with a small cry, her eyes flew open. She looked lost, as if she were in a haze.

Arnav caressed her cheek and tilted it up to him. "Khushi, are you okay?"

Khushi's eyes met his and Arnav could see fear flash before them. She began to shudder as tears swelled in her eyes, and she buried her face in his neck.

Arnav was shocked. He couldn't figure out what it was that could have made Khushi this upset, what it was that she had dreamt of to have her crying like this.

"Khushi? Khushi, it's okay, it was just a bad a dream," Arnav cajoled. "Everything's alright, I'm right here. It was just a bad dream."

He ran his fingers through her hair to comfort her, and allowed her to calm herself on her own. With a sniffle, Khushi pulled back, though she looked down. Arnav pulled back a little so he could reach over to the bedside table and pour a glass of water for Khushi. Arnav handed the glass to her and the two sat there in quiet as Khushi guzzled the entire glass down. Arnav took the empty glass from her and placed it aside before turning back to her.

"Are you okay," Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded, looking down at her lap.

"You want to tell me about it," he said softly.

Khushi remained quiet, not saying a word. Arnav didn't say anything either, giving her the moment she needed.

"I... I dreamt that I was in the fire again," Khushi nearly whispered.

Arnav's eyes widened. In all the time they had been married, never had Khushi had a nightmare about her accident. "You... want to tell me about it?"

Khushi gulped, looking down at her entangled hands. She stayed quiet once more, but Arnav patiently waited, giving her the moment she needed.

"There was fire everywhere - everywhere I turned, there was fire. I didn't know which way to go, how to escape.... No one else was there. At least, at first there was no one... but then I saw you."

Arnav didn't say anything, wanting to hear the rest of it.

"When I was trying to find a way out, I found you... I found you lying on the g-ground," she stuttered.

Arnav's eyes widened.

"Y-you were out unconscious. I tried calling out your name, I tried to wake you b-but...." Khushi trembled slightly and hugged herself. "The fire was getting worse and spreading. It was getting hotter, harder to breathe. I tried so hard to wake you but... b-but you wouldn't and-"

Khushi broke into tears and began to cry. Seeing her like this, pained Arnav, so he wrapped his arms around her.

"Hush, it's okay. I'm right here Khushi, that was nothing but a bad dream."

"I know," she cried. "But the fire... you wouldn't wake up, it was everywhere, and... and," and she cried harder.

Arnav soothed her even more, holding her in his arms as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"I thought I lost you to the flames," she cried.

"Never Khushi, never." He caressed her cheeks and tilted her face up to his. "I'm right here Khushi, I'm right here for you."

Khushi pursed her lips and nodded, looking down. Arnav held her against him as she cried once more, cajoling her.

"I promised to protect you Khushi, and I always will; nothing will change that."

Khushi looked up at him.

"Nothing will happen to me and I will keep you safe, okay?"

With a gulp, Khushi nodded.

Both looked at each other for a moment. Even if the two had gotten close together before, it was nothing like this. Last time there was some sensuality to it, but this time was completely different. This time, the feelings were caring and genuine. And so when Khushi noticed Arnav bringing his lips closer to her, she didn't feel hesitant whatsoever. And when his lips met her forehead, she truly felt his words were genuine and that he meant it when he said he would protect her, forever.