Chapter 21: Titanium

Lingering hints of a time she had tried desperately to hold onto was now bringing her out of her paradise. She held on, tighter, to prevent herself from having to leave. She didn't want to leave. Her current calm was pleasing. She was caged in protection, away from anything that could harm her, right where she belonged.

Khushi's eyes slowly opened and took in her surroundings. She was caged in protection indeed. Arnav's arms had wrapped around her body, holding her to him. His head was buried into the top of her head and the soft fall of his breath disrupted the otherwise silent surrounding every few seconds. It was too dark for it be really day, but she knew it was the early hours of the morning. She couldn't - shouldn't- move.

Lifting her head ever so slightly, Khushi traced his face with her eyes.

The cheekbones, sharp and dominating. The lips, relaxed from their usually firm set. The hair, free from the constraints of gel. The beauty that was his face, far from everything she had named Laad Governor. It was very much Arnav at this moment. Very much the man she had hopelessly fell in love with.

She had done that. Fallen in love with him. She had become the daredevil of all times and fallen in love with Arnav Singh Raizada. After all this time, she stayed in the pit that she had fallen into. There were so many chances, so many ladders, that were offered to her so that she could climb out. They came first in the form of Shiv, then Monisha and Rohan, yet again with Rekha, and Mahesh. They were all there to help her out of the pit of love for Arnav Singh Raizada she had fallen into. So what held her back?

It was herself.

She didn't want to climb out. She had gotten used to being there, in the state of hopeless love. But why was she there alone? Hadn't he fallen too? Hadn't he, in the four months they spend together, felt something? Of course he had. But he had climbed out the first chance he got.

And it all made clear sense. Love made men vulnerable, it gave them a weakness, it gave them something that they couldn't go against. Arnav Singh Raizada was neither vulnerable, nor weak. He was an established man, in terms of business and emotions. Love had scared the living soul out of him. He was not used to feeling so out of control. So when a little rope was extended into the pit, he had grabbed at it. Unknowingly, unconciously.

Khushi had accepted this. It had taken time, but time was all she had in the past year. She had known their love wouldn't be easy. So Khushi held on. She stayed in the pit she had fallen into, all though she was alone there, she stayed. And that's where Mahesh didn't understand her. That's where Monisha and Rohan had lost her. And that's where Rekha had slowly started to understand her.

Arnav knew this too, in a way. He had promised her to the best of his extend. He had told her he would never be Shaitan, but had warned her he would be far from a Rajkumar. He would only be himself. He can only be himself. 

But didn't he see? That was her Rajkumar! HE in his purest form was her Rajkumar. So of course, like most woman, Khushi had felt the urge to drag him back into the pit she was alone in. But she had resisted.

That's why she had left him. That's why she had threatened him from ever trying to meet or contact her. That's why when Shiv came along, she had kept to herself. Because Arnav had to fall in love. Not be dragged in. He had to get used to feeling vulnerable, sometimes weak, for the sake of her.

Until now.

Now she was vulnerable, she was weak, everything was against her. And not in a good way. He couldn't -shouldn't- fall in love with her. She had stayed away for the sake of Shiv. Now she was back for the sake of Shiv. So she had to leave as soon as possible too. Stay away from him.

Hadn't she tried? Hadn't Devi Maiya had a good laugh at her life? Weren't the weavers of fate tired for her? Hadn't she tried to make her hate him? Didn't she tell him she wanted to leave? Then why? Why did he hold on to her? Why now?

She needed for him to let go. Now was not the time to hold on. Yet he held on. Almost like he had fallen into the pit he once ran away from. So here he was, lying next to her, wrapping his arms around her in a cage like restraint. Never letting her go.

So she stayed still. For him, she laid unmoving. Only looking at the face that was the sake her being. In this moment, everything was perfect. If only Shiv were here too. then she wouldn't mind, right at this moment, leaving forever.

Khushi squeezed her eyes shut.

---

Arnav woke up in the peace he had only read about. He woke up in the peace he had only dreamed off. He woke up in the peace that was only his.

Because not everybody woke up cradling an angel. 

Khushi lay next to him, her body still tight in his grasp, her face pale, but breathing steady. Arnav frowned as he slowly moved her out of his arms, her absence already bothering him. Her face was too pale to be considered healthy. He had to get her some consultation. He also needed to talk.

He had to talk to her.

Trying not to wake her, he moved away from the bed, towards the bathroom. He had today to be with her. If she would listen, he had forever.

---

Payal rocked the body of the sleeping infant slowly. Shiv had noted the absence of his mother, waking her throughout the night. Akash had tried to help, but a mother needed its child. Shiv had finally fallen to the grasp of fatigue and fallen asleep in the wee hours of the morning.

She slowly opened the door of Arnav's room, wondering if Khushi was still there. Sure enough, Khushi lay sleeping, and she could hear the shower water indicating Arnav in the bathroom. Careful not to wake her sister, Payal slowly placed Shiv into the crook between Khushi's body and arm. And she watched as Khushi unconsciously wrapped an arm around her infant, ever the mother bear.

Smiling, Payal left the room.

---

Arnav noticed Shiv right before he was walking out, giving Khushi a parting look. When had the little one ended up here? Payal must have brought him in. Khushi's arm was wrapped around her infant protectively, and the little one snuggled comfortably into her warmth. Some may have called the moment picture perfect. And that is probably why Arnav absentmindedly pulled out his phone and captured the moment.

Then he slowly made his way to mother and child. Leaning down, he stroked the face of his son, and planted a kiss on the cheek that was visible, the rest of his body snuggled into Khushi. Arnav then brushed away a stray lock of hair bothering Khushi's cheek and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, careful not to wake her.

----

Mahesh sat up on the lounger he had fallen asleep on. Stretching tiredly, he looked at the file that lay open on the ground.

Khushi's file.

Khushi Kumari Gupta; 22; Congenital Heart Disease
Transplant Required; Donor Unavailable.

Mahesh read the second sentence over and over again. Transplant Required; Donor Unavailable. Breathing in slowly, he stood and walked towards the window, the morning sun warming him.

Transplant Required; Donor Unavailable.

Sighing, he picked up his phone. The phone was answered on the third ring, as per always. The voice on the other line, breathed life into him, bringing him out of his emotional tangle. But not for long.

"Good morning, Mahesh." The voice whispered.

"Rekha." He sighed, closing his eyes.

"I love you too." She whispered before muffling her giggles.

Mahesh smiled. "I love you."

"Then please be honest with Khushi." Was her quiet reply.

"Rekha, you can't-"

"It's my life!"

"No it's not! Not anymore!"

"Mahesh..."

"I'm sorry. I'm just... I can't Rekha, I can't." His voice broke, emotion crackling through.

"Shh, Mahesh, please don't." Her own voice broke. Staggering in a deep breathe, she spoke again, more confidently. "You don't have to tell her the details. Just the basics."

"Rekha-"

"My decision has been made, Mahesh." She spoke slowly, enunciating each word.

Mahesh shut his eyes, refusing to let anymore emotions to shake him.

"Please get her to Mumbai as soon as possible." She whispered, the reality finally dawning on her.