Something in You Calls Me (Complete)

Chap_6. Not Living

There was no way life would have been the same for Arnav without Khushi.
His Khushi.
He was alive.
But not living..

Hoping to unite with her somehow, at sometime, at some realm with his Khushi who was dead for the society but not for him, he kept trying to search for her in every possible place, he could think of.

But she wasn't anyhere to be found.
Season changed, the bright sky got turned into dark in cloud only to get brighter again but his life remained the same without Khushi who remained alive in his memories, in his soul.

If he was alone and doing nothing then either he was breaking down on frustration or loneliness.

He became a strict boss like never before and kept spending most of the time in office and engrossing himself in work to hang in there.

After One year

Arnav got home from the office late at night and found Areesha waiting for him in the living room.

Seeing her, he spoke up, "Api, it's 2 of the night. Why are you still awake?"

Without bothering to answer him, Areesha spoke up, "You get freshen up and come for dinner. I am setting the table." as she forwarded towards the kitchen.

Arnav spoke up getting her to stop, "I am not hungry, Api and I am tired. I will get some rest now. I have an early morning meeting tomorrow. You please don't keep waiting for me like this. It's not good for your health. Sleep early. "

He was about to leave after that but Areesha spoke up, "It applies to you as well, Arnav. You leave early for the office and then come home late. Sometimes you stay whole night at the office. You don't bother to come home for days when you have deadlines. Whom are you running from Arnav? What are you planning to do with your life? Khushi is no more. If something happens to you this way then how am I supposed to live, Vai?"

Like always, Arnav didn't like hearing Khushi as dead. Without bothering other words, he got uttering sternly, "Khushi is alive, Api. And I will find her." and left for his room.

Areesha sat on the sofa with a thud with teary eyes getting afraid of losing Arnav as well this way.

Getting into his room, Arnav put off his coat and threw it on the couch and lied down on the bed. While staring at the empty side of the bed beside him where Khushi used to sleep, he got murmuring, "Where are you, Khushi? Please come back to me."

His eyes got heavy as he kept caressing the place until sleep engulfed him....

Next Morning

Arnav woke up early in the morning and got a long cold shower. Getting all ready for office, he got downstairs. Areesha was awake already and setting the table for him. When she saw Arnav, she got near him.

Being lost in thoughts, Arnav was about to leave, but Areesha got in his way uttering his name, "Arnav?"

He got startled for a moment but later relaxed. Understanding her intention, he was about to say something but got stopped hearing Areesha as she spoke up all sternly, "Come, take your breakfast."

Arnav still uttered otherwise, "Api, please. I am not hungry."

Areesha stared at him wordlessly for a moment and then again spoke up with the same stern and ordering tone, "I told you to sit."

When Arnav stood still, Areesha pulled him to the dining table by holding his hand. Making him sit, she served him his favourite dish.

But when he didn't seem to take anything likewise, she sat beside him.
Taking a spoonful of his favourite dish, she held up the spoon to him. Arnav tried to get away but couldn't and at last, opened his mouth.