CHAPTER 01: Yuh Juda Hoke Bata...
A beautiful lady of thirty with milky white complexion, pretty
face with pixie features, doe light-brown eyes lit with mischief framed by
shapely eyebrows and long lashes, straight cute nose, long waist-length dark
hair tied in three-strand braid, slender curvy figure five-feet-eight tall. She is
wearing maroon-black track suit with her I-pod plugged though the headphones weren’t
in ears but pulled down around her neck. She also had a water bottle in hand as
she entered the huge mansion gates running in moderate pace, panting and
sweating from her morning workout. Jogging up to the porch stairs heading towards
main door but something caught her eyes which made her backtrack and head
towards the garden.
Sensing someone come his way, his ear picked up and he turned in the general direction while carefully listening to the light footsteps which was followed by the familiar floral feminine smell when the person sat next to him on the bench. He knew now that it is his beautiful Bhabs and soon enough confirming his identification, she greeted him: “Good morning Armaan!” chirpy and bright like always.
She must have been coming back from her morning jog and most likely seeing him sitting here like this made U-turn to come here to inquire. He greeted back cheerfully: “Good morning Misha Bhabs!” smiling back at her sweetly.
Misha turned sideways to face him and observed him for few
moments before asking: “Well what are you doing sitting here alone and brooding…?
Don’t you think it’s little too early to start brooding now Ammy.” joked to
lighten up but seeing that didn’t manage to take him out of blue mood, “Kya
hua hai Ammy, are you okay…?” concern seeing the that touch of sadness in his
eyes and behind smiles.
Armaan doesn’t answer immediately at first but knowing his
sister-in-law wasn’t going to let him of the hook without any, says: “Yadhaash
bhi kitni ajeeb cheez hoti hai na, jis cheez ko hum poori zindagi bhoolne ki
koshish karte hai woh bhoolti nahi. Aur kabhi ek choti si cheez yaad karne ki
koshish karo toh yaad nahi aati.” sounding world-weary. (Memories are such a weird thing, the thing you try to forget
you whole life is what you can’t forget. And sometimes when you try to remember
a small thing than you can’t recall it.)
She could easily guess the reason behind his thoughts and
probes further: “Why are you dwelling with memories so early this morning…?
Kuch hua hai…?” asked while eyeing him carefully.
He exhaled heavily as he shook his head in denial but could
very well feel her unwavering stare on him which made sign in resignation before
answering: “Nothing too important Bhabs, I am just getting nostalgic with memories
which I rather forget and never recall again but that doesn’t seem to be
happening anytime soon.” leaning backward on the bench.
She just hummed: “And why do you think you are feeling like
this all of a sudden…?” questions him again.
He shrugged his shoulders and replied: “Don’t know why
but I am feeling restless for the past few days for some reason. At times I
feel like someone is constantly calling out for me but when I turn around there
is no one. Also, this strange foreboding like something big is going to happen…
Like something some drastic is going to change and nothing is going to be same
again. I… I… I don’t know.” feeling hard to express.
Misha knew that this is her brother-in-law’s insecurities
trying to get better of him and said: “Change is part of life Ammy and it
will happen no matter what. So, all you can do is be prepared for the good or
bad or change it for the better as you need it. You can’t stop change from coming,
just like you can’t forever keep running from your past either because they always
catch up with you at some or the other point. And don’t worry we are always going
to be with you, so you can count on this fact.” assuring him with a smile.
This brings a faint smile on his face, replies: “I know
Bhabs, trust me I know this by heart and trust on this fact that I have you
all. I know that I have a place with all even if I don’t have that with them
anymore.” as a lightness starting to replace his previous gloominess.
She warmly says: “You remember that always okay, you
hear me…? Always know that we all love you and would always be with you, Ammy
no matter what.” wrapping an arm on his shoulder comfortingly.
His smile widened at that, nods easily believing her words:
“I know I have you all to fall back and you guys are my biggest support
system. I love you Bhabhi-maa, thank you for everything and I know I am exactly
where I belong, with my… our family.” giving her a heartfelt hug.
Misha reciprocated the hug with equally heartfelt warmness:
“I love you too Ammy.” told her brother-in-law.
Armaan breathed deeply in the familiar warmth of his Bhabhi
and told himself again that this is his life and truth now which is that this
was his family, where he belongs now. Moments later they broke out of the hug when
a sharp bark is heard before a golden retriever dog with a ball in his mouth
came running to them wagging his tail which made Misha laughed. Armaan chuckled
too saying: “Hey boy, come here.” calling his doggie to him who ran up
to him like he couldn’t get fast enough.
Misha too patted the golden fur of the dog cooing: “Hey
Saitan! Hey there, good boy.” continuing to shower the pet with some love before
turning towards her brother-in-law, “Let’s go inside now, it's almost
breakfast time.” checked her wrist-watch than getting up.
He nodded: “Okay.” scratching behind the ear of his
dog a few more times before attaching the harness, “Come on Saitan, time to
go inside now.” holding it got up from his seat too. So, with that Misha
and Armaan who held the rein of Saitan’s harness started to walk inside the
mansion that is their home while having casual conversation.
All were sitting at breakfast table as Khushi came
downstairs wearing a simple designer pastel-pink-orange silk sari with golden broad
border paired with light-orange with gold coin-size design blouse. She had
minimal makeup, wore a pair of gold earrings while her long hair is tied in simple
sophisticated bun with her sindoor a striking contrast with the dark-chestnut
colour of her hair, mangalsutra around her neck and gold high-heels finished
off her look of the day. Seeing that she never forgot to wear sindoor and
mangalsutra of Arnav’s name ever was cause of quite a lot of displeasures for
many of the family members though they kept about their thoughts.
 |
| KHUSHI' SAREE AND LOOK |
Khushi sat down on her usual seat at the dinner table: “Good
morning everyone.” greeting them all distractedly as she made a plate of
toast to eat and then poured a glass of orange juice for herself. She started eating her toast in silence but it
hardly took her few moments to noticed that there was some kind of eye-conversation
going between most of the family members and it was only Dhruv who seemed as
confused as her. Observing discreetly for few minutes more asked out lout, “Di
what happened…?” directing to the one person who is more likely to spill
the beans easily and also startling them all.
Anjali Singh Raizada is a beautiful lady of thirty-three with her wheat-ish complexion, sweet face with complimenting features, hazel eyes with shapely eyebrows and long eyelashes, straight nose, sweet smile on her pink lips. Has long waist length black hair, slender figure stood five-feet-five though a slight limp on her right leg due to polio which makes her feel little inferior but she has got over it now. Despite being a sweet, caring person life has bought her many tragic things, her parent’s terrible death, husband's betrayal whom she worshipped and her younger brother, her Chotte who she once was proud is now dead for her after what happened three years back. So much as changed and she turned in an independent woman and after divorcing her cheater of a husband now in love and engaged with better person and hoping Khushi to move on like she did. She fidgeted with the pallu of her designer teal net saree for a moment before finally gathering courage to reply: “Look Khushi, we all know you have refused whenever we brought this topic but this time no running away.” taking a deep breath she continued, “We all want you to be happy in your life and so that’s why we want you to marry Dhruv.” puts forward the proposal.
Dhruv and Khushi started at their family members in equal
measure horrified and shock though recovering quick she says the only response
there: “No, absolutely no.” loud and clear.
Anjali quickly starts saying: “Khushiji at least hear
me please out before you refuse, see Dev needs a mother and he is so attached
to you. We think it's best for you and Dhruv tied know as you both need to move
on in your lives as well as Dev gets a mother too.” being as persuasively
as she could.
It was Dhruv who replied: “No Di I'm not marrying
anyone.” politely but firmly making his thoughts on this known. He
straightened in his seat and seemed formidable in formal black suit with pink button-down shirt that had collar button open and no tie.
This is Dhruv Singh Raizada, is a handsome fellow of
thirty-six with fair complexion, handsome face with cherished features, black
eyes accented with thick eyebrows, straight nose, clean shaven strong jaw,
manly thin lips, short black hair and well build stood five-feet-eleven. He is
smart, elder brother of Akash and elder cousin of Arnav, very sweet guy, loved
his wife Kusum loads who died in an accident two years back leaving behind
their three years old son with him, whom he loves to death. He was another
person whom Arnav contacted last before he had disappeared three years ago
though this information isn’t shared with rest of the family as he kept it to
himself. He tried to lessen the family's hatred towards Arnav but never
successful and it hurts him seeing once the family whole adored there Chotte,
now curse him and his only consolation is Khushi's unconditional love and faith
on Arnav.
Khushi adds her cent: “I'm already married Di which you
seem to conveniently forget which makes this whole thing pointless. So, it
would be better if you drop this nonsense and never bring such thing again, end
of discussion.” firmly made her opinion known too.
Payal Singh Raizada, is beautiful woman with wheat
complexion, lovely face with fine features, big doe brown eyes, cute nose, pink
lips, long straight black waist-length hair and slender figure stood
five-feet-six. She is twenty-seven was elder sister of Khushi and married to
her bother-in-law, Akash Singh Raizada. Generally, a sweet, shy, timid, loving
woman but hates her elder brother-in-law for what he did to her sister, wants
her to move on. She looked at other family than signed this is going to be
tough but it needed to be said by someone: “Khushi, we all know that you
still love that man but he is never coming back, accept it now that he left you…
chal gaya woh tumhe chood kar. And who knows he has probably settled down
somewhere with someone else, how long are you going to wait for him like this…?
Forget him and move on, just get married again and you would forget him… move
on with this new beginning.” tried to make her sister see some sense while
carefully adjusted her designer purple saree with gold-stone border.
Anjali too says in agreement: “Haan Khushiji, don’t
waste your life on that man like this who didn’t even value you or your life
like you deserved.” hoping to get her point across.
Khushi felt shocked hearing this but her anger flared, how
could they think her love so weak, her Arnav's love so cheap but reining her
temper, replied coldly: “Enough Jiji! Di! Na humara pyaar itna kamzoor hai
aur na hi aap Anrav ke pyaar ki hadh janti hai. Forget it, why do I even bother
explaining you guys, you people never understand…just can’t understand. Just
get this one thing, loud and clear that I AM NOT MARRYING ANYONE ELSE! NOT NOW
OR EVER!” picked her files and iPhone before storming out from there. (My love isn’t so weak and neither do you have any idea
about the limits of Arnav’s love.)
All stared at the door she went out from and Dhruv signed making
everyone turned to look at him almost expectantly now. Though fed up with is
nosey family’s attitude, spoke to them calmly: “What is wrong with you all…?
Kar kya rahe ho aap sab, first you guys wanted Khushi to marry NK and now me,
mazak hai kya yeh aap logo ke liye! Why don’t you understand that Khushi only
loves Arnav and no matter what you all think that isn’t going to change that
for her.” feeling like he might lose his temper at them took a deep breath
before continuing, “Look I know you guys mean well for us but we’re fine as
we are and even though our respective partners are not with us, we still love
them only. And as for Dev, I am capable of looking after him as a single parent
and I don’t need anyone else for that. Please stop plastering us about marrying
someone else because we could never love anyone else and you guys have to accept
this fact.” with that being said, he too got up taking Dev along with him, left
dinning leaving defeated family.
Dev Singh Raizada is five years old, son of Dhruv is cute with
chubby face, puppy brown eyes, adorable smile and sweet nature is funny little
bundle of joy along with being happiness of Raizada family, especially his
father. He is loved by all and loves everyone, especially his Chotti-maa i.e.
Khushi and his Chotte-papa whom he has only heard from his Chotti-maa through
wonders why rest of the family hates Chotte-papa, when his Chotti-maa loves him
so much. He hopes he comes soon so he could scold him for making cry his Chotti-maa
and never let go again, followed after his father and even though he didn’t
understand everything but knew enough that they had upset his Dad and
Chotti-maa.
Dressed smartly in tan suit paired
with maroon-blue button-down and dark-blue tie, he walked upstairs to Managing
Director and C.E.O cabin with document files that needed signatures in him. Climbing
the stairs distractedly his thoughts circled over about how much has changed in
this office in past three years though he shook himself out of it reaching the
cabin and knocking on the glass door with three light crisp taps. Moments later
came the replied of a soft muffled: “Come in.” from inside and he pushed
the door open to enter without any further permeable.
Stepping inside he saw the acting Managing Director/CEO
Mrs. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada sitting on another chairs since she never sat
on ASR's chair saying it only belongs to ASR and not even his wife is allowed
to take his place. He pushed aside the maundering thoughts away and spoke with
utmost professionally: “Good afternoon ma'am, here are the Raichand deal
files.” passing them her before stepping back and continued, “They have
confirmed for the meeting and so is your flight for today evening to Mumbai
too, all arrangements are done for your travel.” informed her while she just nods in responds
while continuing to read the file before signing it off. He took this time to
observe just how exhausted she looked and asks with brotherly concern, “Khushi
you okay…?” while mournfully wondering internally just where did the bubbly
girl he met all those years ago went.
This is thirty-five years old Aman Mathur is handsome with tan complexion, cute face with cherished
features, black eyes with thick eyebrows, straight nose, slightly stubbled
strong jaws, manly full lips, short black hair and well-built stood six-feet
tall. He is smart, caring and loyal P.A. of ASR, now engaged to Anjali
Raizada. He knows what had happened three years back with ASR and last heard
from him was six months after that incident but never told anybody it along
with Dhruv as per ASR had ordered him. He doesn't know where ASR is except that
he is safe wherever he is, knows that the family who adored ASR now hates him
which hurts him. But couldn't do anything, only knowing that when the truth
comes out all would be burdened with guilt and the only good thing is Khushi's
absolute faith in Arnav.
Looking up at the concerned face of Aman made Khushi sign
tiredly as she drops her guard in front him knowing that he is the only another
person along Dhruv who still his faith in Arnav and who somewhat understands
her. She quickly finished signing the necessary document before replying: “Once
again the topic of getting me re-married to someone else was brought up and
this time they all want me to marry Dhruv Bhaiyya.” lightly rubbed her
temples to ease the headache she could feel coming.
He was surprised by this and said so too: “I didn’t
know anything about this, not that I am surprised that much with the remarriage
topic but trying to you marry off with Dhurv and Khushi is definitely new. Anjali
didn’t say a word or dropped any hint about this, I wonder why. How did Dhruv
reacted to this…? In fact, how are you
handling it yourself…?” asked taking a seat now.
She shrugged before giving a tired look and answered: “Well Dhruv surely made his opinion know and you can already guess that I didn't take it any better either. I'm tired Aman Jiju, simply tired of hearing them badmouth about Arnav, tired of fighting them constantly for myself. Aise hi hum pareshaan hai Arnav ko lekar aur gharwale yeh harkate karte rahte hai, jaise pichle mahine sab chaahte the hi hum Nanheji ke saath sagai kar le, aaj woh chaahte hai hi hum Dhruv Bhaiyya se shaadi kare ab aur agle mahine koi aur hoga sabka Mr. Khushi-ka-honewala-dhulha-iss-mahine-ka. I can't take it, just can't take it anymore this nonsense!” barely reining her temper and emotions. (As it is, I am worried about Arnav and the family keeps doing these stuffs, like last month they wanted me to get engaged to Nanheji, today they want me Dhruv Bhaiyya and next month it will be someone else their Mr. Groom-for-Khushi-of-the-month.)
He
concernedly says: “Talk to me Khushi.” encouraging her to open up to him
with her feelings.
Working herself Khushi starts venting her frustration, “Agar
Arnav hota yaha toh phir woh kabhi aisa kuch nahi hone dete humare saath, kabhi
bhi nahi. Kaha hai Arnav, Jiju…? Kaise hai woh…? Theek bhi hai ya nahi yeh tak
nahi jaante hum aur unki fikar karne ke bajaye sab gharwale aise behave kar
rahe hai. It hurts Aman Jiju, it hurts so much to hear the family cursing and
badmouthing about him, his Di who once adored and loved him so much, now just
spits on his name. curse him now. It is like everyone in the family has
forgotten everything he has ever done for them… like they don’t remember all
the sacrifices he did for them. I couldn’t watch their behaviour but neither
could I say anything, khoon jalta hai humara Jiju aur Arnav ki yaad aati… bahut
yaad. God Jiju I can’t even begin to tell you how much I miss my Arnav; it is
like everything feels wrong… so empty and meaningless without him. I just want
to be in his arms again, feel save and warm.” tears streamed down her face
by the end of her tirade. (If Arnav was here than
he wouldn’t have let anything like this happen with me, never ever. Where is Arnav,
Jiju…? How is he…? We don’t even know that if he alright or not and instead of
worrying about that the family is behaving like this.)
Aman stared at her defeated posture for few moments before
he quickly got up from his chair and went up to her, pulling her in a
comforting hug, says: “Shhh Khushi, it’s okay… it’s okay.” patting
lightly on her head lightly and then pulling back from the hug he wiped her
tears, “Tumhara Arnav hai woh kahi bhi kyun na chal jaaye, lautke wapas aana
usse tumhare pass hi hai. So, you can’t lose your hope and faith until then,
you held yourself till now so you can’t break now. Your patience and wait aren’t
going to be wasted, ASR will come back to you soon… he has to but until then just
be strong Khushi, you need to be strong and I know you can.” smiling at her
with confidence that he had on her devotion and love. (He is your Arnav, wherever doesn’t he go, he has to come
back to you.)
She returned it with a watery smile of her own: “Thank
you so much Aman Jiju, thank you for being there and not losing your faith in
Arnav like everyone else.” said in slightly shaky tone but her gratitude
heard clearly.
He just shook his head waving it off easily and pats he
head one last time with brotherly affection before letting go off her and stepping
back while she wiped last of her tears with the back of her hand. He picked up
the files on the table: “I’ll take these and get them filed away now, everything
for your travel this evening is arranged and I should get back to work now.”
giving her one last smile left the cabin with the files.
Khushi stared at the door for few moments reeling herself back though she had to admit that it felt better to have talked at least some of her feelings with someone who understood somewhat with any criticism in return. Looking away her eyes went to the photo that is always there on her desk and picked it up in her hand carefully. It is the photo of Arnav during Akash and Payal’s sangeet ceremony laughing and looking handsome as ever as she caressed face lightly with her fingers before kissing it affectionately. She didn’t feel any better than before and she is just so done with her families but she wasn’t suffocating anymore, she knows he will come back to her even if she has to find him half-way across the globe but he will come back to her, she just needs to wait patiently for him to. Signing heavily and caressing his photo for few more moments before putting it down back on the desk, she straightened herself and took her seat to get back to work. She has a multi-million-dollar business to run and it was no time to mope or cry in office now, so with that thought she picks the next file and gets into preparing for her next meeting.
Armaan slumped on the sofa of the living room signing in relief at finally able to relax while Saitan panted happily sitting down beside his feet from their evening run while he has changed from his sweaty cloths to comfortable white sweatshirt and black joggers. He tipped his head back on the headrest and closed his eyes for a few moments, even though it didn’t make any difference to him but motion was familiar to him, so that is that. Today is one of those days when memories of past seemed to be crowding and suffocate him, memories that are better forgotten and left alone but they didn’t seem to want to leave him alone which only made him restless. At times it felt like he could hear her anklet and bangles tinkling around him, her merry laugh and cute giggles beside him and sweet voice calling him but when he turned towards them it was gone. It is like closing his eyes and her pretty face that popped in his head and no matter how much tried to lock them up, they wouldn’t leave him alone. Or maybe he wasn’t trying enough but no one has to know that now expect him.
His thoughts were broken by a hand brushing his hair
affectionately and he soon recognized the touch, the touch of his mother who is
now sitting beside him which he most likely missed being lost in his own head.
She asked: “Are you alright Ammy…?” sounding caring and warm like always.
He replied her softly: “Yeah Mumma am fine, don’t worry
so much about me.” though voice sounding more tired than he wanted to let her
know.
She hmm-ed before replying: “Tumhari Maa hoon, agar
main chinta nahi karoongi toh kon karega…? Now tell me what happened to you…? I
am seeing from few days that something is making you restless and Misha also
told me that you’re brooding more than usual. And don’t you even try to lie to
me because I will know if you did.” wanting to know what was distressing
her child so much.
Armaan signed knowing he could brush anyone off but not
his mother, never her and so he silently put his head in her lap, then replied:
“Kuch nahi Mumma, bas kuch yaadein hai jo picha hi nahi choodti hai chahe
kitna bhi kyun na chahun main.” snuggling closer to her seeking comfort.
(Nothing Mumma, just some memories don’t want to
leave no matter how much I want them to.)
His mother only kept brushing her fingers though his hair
saying: “Then stop running from those memories, maybe it is time that you
face them and don’t worry if the worst comes your family is there with you to
support you.” giving her advice to him.
He took a deep breath before replying: “Kuch yaadein itna
piche choot jate hai ki hum chaah kar bhi wapas nahi ja sakte, tab unhe chood
dena hi sabke liye acha hota hai.” not wanting to say anything anymore. (Some memories left so far behind us that we can’t go
back even if we want, at that time it is better for everyone to leave them like
that.)
Bless his mother to know him so well and being able to read
his silence, just said: “Always remember that you are not alone, whatever
you decide we will always support and love you.” then kissed his forehead warmly,
“Kabhi maat bhoolna ki tum mere dil ke armaan ho aur tumhari Mumma tumse
bahut pyaar karti hai Ammy.” straightened up and continued to carding her
fingers through his hair affectionately. (Never forget
that you are my heart’s desire and your Mumma loves you very much Ammy.)
That was all that was said for now between the mother and son as they sat there on the couch in silence and he snuggled more into her warmth but did squeeze her hand for a moment to let her know silently that he loved her very much also. She mere smiled with motherly affection with his head in her lap providing the much-needed comfort that was seeking and for the moment he lets all off his worries go and let the affection of his mother wash over him.
Khushi, NK and Lavanya hugged and bid the family goodbye
as announcement for Mumbai flight was made, they pulled back and pushed their
luggage trolley as they entered inside the airport. Wearing his yellow polo
t-shirt, blue jeans and black jacket dragging his trolly suitcase though staring
more at the pretty ladies milling around stumbled again and almost falling on
Lavanya who snapped at him: “Christ NK! Can’t you watch where you are going,
I am going to break an ankle because you decide to be a blind idiot all of a
sudden!” barely regaining her balance and not toppling over her own huge
suitcase.
This Lavanya Kashyap is beautiful woman of twenty-six with
her dusky complexion, cute face with fine features, hazel eyes with shapely
eyebrows, straight cute nose, pink lips with dimple smile, long black hair
reaching middle of her back and model figure stood five-feet-eight. She is a
model working for AR Design and Khushi’s best friend despite being ASR’s ex.
She sweet, smart, modern girl and came back India from London two years ago and
knowing everything she too joined the anti-ASR club with rest of the family
wants her friend to move on forgetting ASR.
NK being NK back-answers grinning: “Well if you break an ankle
than it won’t be because of me, it will be because of those six-inch pointy
things that you call shoes or otherwise heels. God, how are you even walking wearing
those ankle-breakers and lunging that huge luggage of yours without falling and
breaking bones…? By the way, you do realize that we are going to Mumbai for
three days or a week at tops and not for half a year… what the hell have you
pack in all those bags…?” eyeing the number of bags she had scratching his head.
Nandkishore Mehra aka NK, is handsome fellow of twenty-six
with fair complexion, cute face with cherished features, brown eyes with thick
eyebrows, straight nose, clean shaven jaws, lips stretched in goofy smile,
dimple chin, short spiky black hair and well build stood five-feet-eleven. His
Hindi is funny, twenty-seven years old and cousin of Akash, being his mother’s
sister’s son from Australia. He smart, cute and funny guy and been friend of
Khushi while hates Arnav for what he did to her though had somewhere fall for
her over the last few years. In three years had him responsible and mature
person but only thing that never changed is his horrible Hindi.
Clearly taking offence of those she hisses at him angrily:
“Not all of us are neanderthal like you brute, others have class which you certainly
won’t know if it slapped on your face.” flipped her long curly hair over
her shoulder and looking pretty as ever in blue-white short causal jumpsuit.
Dressed in simple light-pink designer anarkali-suit Khushi
turned to them, stopping them before they got started full on: “Okay enough
you both, we are in public and so behave like your physical age and not of the
toddlers that you both mentally are.” sounding as exasperated as she looked.
Lavanya and NK seemed like were going to protest but shut their mouths getting
a stern look and huffed while obediently following like mature adults for now
though they gave each other stink-eye.
These two were accompanying Khushi with to Mumbai for the
business deal that she was travelling for this evening and like always started
bickering as if cats and dogs. From there they went to their airline counter,
collecting their boarding passes, dropping their luggage and for the security
check. After completing everything, it was almost two hours later that they boarded
the plane and found themselves sitting in their first-class seats while the flight
took off. Khushi had this strange feeling that something is going to change by
the end of this trip as she prayed to her Bhagwanji while clutching her
mangalsutra pendent. Looking out of the window, at the clear dark night sky and
she saw the smiling face of her Arnav as a tear escaped her eyes and her heart earning
in its longing.
