He Loves Me Not - Part 57A

PREVIOUS PART

Chapter 57A


Butterflies tickled in Khushi’s stomach as the music stopped. She was still in Arnav Singh Raizada’s arms and their intense dance had burned the stage down for sure. There were whistles, cheers, claps and praises for them everywhere around while their eyes were still locked with each other’s.

“Kya hua?” he asked.

“I … I cannot believe it” she mumbled. “You danced with me on our Sangeet? It is like a dream come true. We were so much in sync. No one will believe we never practiced together”

Arnav smirked. He too was shocked about it. Neither he knew her steps nor he was aware of what he had to do. But the moment he ended up on the stage and saw her, his body automatically grooved with her. There was no single beat in the music when he didn’t touch her. Dancing was not his forte but he would do anything for her.
“You stole my surprise” she complained. “Not fair”

In return of her complaint, he kissed her forehead.

Sheetal Mathur fisted her fingers. Despite deciding not to come here for the Sangeet, she couldn’t keep herself aloof from the rest. Curiosity was at its peak. She had heard the Raizadas planning with her brother Aman about some surprise for Arnav. And that made her restless. Though she denied joining the rest of them earlier, she couldn’t stay alone at AK Villa for long. When she entered the Venue, the first thing she saw was Arnav Singh Raizada on the stage with his beloved Khushi Gupta, dancing. She fumed. She had no hopes that things would change between her and Arnav ever. She had lost him months ago and seeing him so happy in his present and dreaming of a future with Khushi aggravated her more. There was nothing left to even hope for. She turned around to leave but Ayush Singh Raizada blocked her way.

“Uncle please” she shouted. “Leave my way”

Ayush inhaled sharply.

“I wont stop you Sheetal. But..”

“But what?” she groaned. “I cannot stand here for even a minute more. I hate being at this place.. this … this city and especially in that house where you have forced my family to stay. I shouldn’t have come here..”

Ayush sensed her anger and came forward.

“You are not wrong in feeling so. You have every right to stay away from people, from circumstances that hurt you” he replied.

“Oh” she gasped sarcastically. “You realize that and yet you insisted me to stay back in AK Villa till Arnav’s marriage? How could you Uncle? You have no idea what I am going through”

“I do..” Ayush answered clutching her shoulders. “I am not your enemy Sheetal. You are Raj’s daughter, my best friend’s daughter but God knows I have seen you as my own. I always wanted you to marry Arnav and step in my house as my daughter-in-law. But.. destiny had other plans”

“Destiny” she scoffed.

“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings Sheetal. I had no such intentions. But if I still made you stay with us, attend Arnav and Khushi’s marriage preps because I wanted you to see the reality”

“Reality?” she yelled. “Arnav and my engagement was reality Uncle. That was real. And yet… yet he ditched me for her”

Ayush turned Sheetal towards the stage where Arnav and Khushi still remained close to each other, sharing romantic moments.. uncaring, unbothered of being watched by the guests. They had eyes and ears just for each other.

“That” Ayush pointed at the couple. “Is reality”

“Oh please” Sheetal hissed turning her head away.

“It was missing between you and Arnav” he added. “That love.. respect for each other… feelings… trust… fear of losing each other.. all of that which you right now see between Arnav and Khushi was missing in your relationship with Arnav”

Sheetal froze. She couldn’t take her eyes off the couple. Arnav had held Khushi so tightly in his arms as if she walks away from him, he would lose his breath. The way the two looked at each other proved that the they didn’t need words to communicate, their eyes were enough to do the talking. Everything between the two was perfect and unmissable. Not even 1 percent of this existed in what Sheetal and Arnav had earlier. Their relationship was formal and to the point. They made public appearances but their chemistry was missing. They dined together but she still didn’t know what his favorite dish is. They have danced in parties but never shared an eye lock like the one he did with Khushi right now. Tears pooled in her eyes as she saw all those differences.

“You are right Uncle” she mumbled wiping her tears. “How could I not see this before?”

Ayush caressed her head.

“None of us saw it until now. Arnav and Khushi are in love and meant to be together. Even if Arnav had married you, he would never have given you all this Sheetal. Apart from his name he would have nothing to share with you”


Sheetal nodded in agreement.

“This is what I wanted you to realize. That’s why I made you stay with us. You have every right to be angry on us, on Arnav, for breaking the engagement with you. But whatever has happened, has happened for the good. You should move on. Find someone who loves you the way Arnav loves Khushi. Someone whose heart flutters only for you Sheetal. I am sure there are many good bachelor boys out there”

Sheetal burst out in tears. She hugged Ayush understanding his point. She was silly to shout at the old man. He really wished good for her. Ayush patted her back. But soon enough she pulled back and hurried out. Ayush didn’t stop her. It was necessary for Sheetal to realize that whatever happened was good enough for her. Hopefully she had understood.

“Ayush.” Revati rushed to him. “Sheetal was here?”

“Yes. But she left back” he sighed.

“Poor girl”

“She is not poor. She has her father, brother and now even you and me to take care of her future.”

Revati thought for a while and then smiled lovingly at her husband.

“Why are you always so good? No one can hate you ever. And the way you explain… I wish everyone could do that so well”

Ayush laughed taking her closer.

“Wife… you have impressed me enough for tonight. Save some praises for tomorrow”

“Tomorrow I have no time for you. It’s my son’s Haldi ceremony”

“yes… I cannot wait for that either”

“Me too”

He kissed her head and led her to Arnav-Khushi who were by now intruded by Aman and Payal who were teasing the couple for the dance performance.

To be Continued. 

NEXT PART