Hamari Dhadkein..Ek ho Jaati - ARSHI

Part 49 - Threads of Connection

The next morning Khushi slowly opened her eyes, finding herself cradled in Arnav's arms. A surge of inexplicable emotions coursed through her veins, stirring a mixture of excitement and confusion within her.

Her heart fluttered with a newfound sensation, like a delicate dance of butterflies in her belly. Attempting to disentangle herself from his grasp, she whispered softly. „Arnavji?"

Arnav turned his head towards her, his eyes gradually opening to meet hers. A tender smile graced his lips as he sensed her presence. His gaze held a mixture of warmth, familiarity and unspoken yearning. Their eyes locked, and Khushi couldn't look away, feeling an unexplainable connection pulling her towards him.

Conflicting thoughts and emotions swirled in Khushi's mind. What had changed? Why did being in his arms stir such profound emotions within her? Her heart longed for answers, for a glimpse into the forgotten past that seemed just out of reach.

In that fleeting moment, Arnav, momentarily forgetting their circumstances, closed the gap between them, his lips inching closer to hers. It was an instinctual gesture, driven by a history they once shared—a ritual of affection they had practiced every morning. But as Khushi's face instinctively recoiled, she whispered, „Nahin.."

Her words, a gentle plea, hung in the air, filled with a mix of confusion and apprehension. Arnav's expression softened, realizing the weight of her uncertainty. He immediately withdrew, respecting her unspoken boundaries, and held himself at a distance.

"Shit..i-i'm sorry Khushi," Arnav murmured, his voice laced with regret. "I forgot about..i'm really sorry."

Khushi looked at him, her eyes mirroring a blend of emotions—gratitude for his understanding and yet a twinge of sadness. "Koi baat nahi...Hum toh sirf...
I just... I need time."

He nodded, his gaze filled with empathy. "I understand. Take all the time you need. I'll be here, supporting you."

They exchanged a bittersweet smile, acknowledging the complexities of their situation. The unspoken bond between them was slowly rekindling, carrying with it both the weight of their shared past and the promise of an uncertain future.

Suddenly, they heard their daughter, who was already awake, her sadness evident that her mama didn't want to hug her papa. Before she could bombard them with questions, Arnav stood up and scooped her into his arms, leading her towards the bathroom. Khushi watched them with a smile, cradling Aditya in her arms.

Inside the bathroom, Arnav playfully grabbed the toothbrush and toothpaste, and a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes. "Alright, pirncess, time to brush those little teeth of yours."

Ratna looked up at him, her eyes still slightly teary. "But why didn't Amma want to hug you, Papa?"

Arnav's voice softened as he squeezed toothpaste onto the brush. "Sometimes, people need space, sweetie. Amma just needs some time right now, but that doesn't mean we don't love each other."

Ratna's eyes searched his face for reassurance. "But Amma loves you, right?"

Arnav's heart swelled with tenderness. "Of course, she does, Ratna. Amma loves us both very much. Sometimes, things can get confusing, but love always remains."

As they brushed their teeth together, Arnav made silly faces in the mirror, causing Ratna to giggle. The sound of her laughter filled the room, momentarily lifting the weight of their complex situation.

Khushi leaned against the doorway, a warm smile adorning her face as she observed their bond. The sight of Arnav connecting with their daughter, easing her worries with his playfulness, filled her heart with a mix of gratitude and admiration.

After finishing their toothbrushing ritual, Arnav gently carried Ratna back into the bedroom, where Khushi was still holding Aditya in her arms. Ratna's face brightened as she saw her mama, and she reached out for a hug.

Khushi embraced Ratna tightly, her eyes welling up with tears. "Oh, my little princess, I love you so much," she whispered, her voice filled with both joy and sadness.

Ratna nestled into Khushi's embrace, sensing the depth of her mama's emotions. "Mama, why were you sad earlier? Did I do something wrong?"

Khushi's voice quivered as she stroked Ratna's hair. "No, my sweet angel, you didn't do anything wrong. Mama is just going through a confusing time, and it's hard for me to understand some things right now."

Arnav stood nearby, watching the heartfelt exchange between mother and daughter, his own emotions bubbling beneath the surface. He approached them, his voice tender yet uncertain. "Ratna, sometimes, grown-ups have feelings that are difficult to explain. Your mama and I are trying to figure things out, but please know that we both love you and Aditya more than anything in this world."

Ratna looked up at her papa, her innocent eyes searching for answers. "Will everything be okay, Papa?"

Arnav's voice carried a mixture of reassurance and vulnerability. "We'll do everything we can to make things right, my darling. And no matter what happens, our love for you and your brother will always remain constant."

Khushi, holding back her tears, mustered a small smile. "That's right, Ratna. We may be going through a difficult time, but our love for each other will guide us through."

As they huddled together, a sense of unity enveloped them, grounding them in the strength of their family bond. In that moment, they found solace in each other's arms, navigating the complexities of life with love as their guiding compass.

However, Ratna's innocent curiosity remained unfulfilled. She looked up at her parents, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Papa, why don't you kiss Amma like you used to?"

Arnav was taken aback, unsure of how to respond. Khushi, sensing his hesitation, spoke up, surprising both of them. "She's right, Arnav. Where's my kiss?"

Arnav stood before her, their daughter still happily squirming in his arms, contemplating whether he should act on their request. "Khushi?" he said, a mix of surprise and uncertainty in his voice.

Khushi nodded, a determined expression on her face. "I can't bear to see her sad. Our children shouldn't suffer.."

Arnav understood her sentiment and decided to honor her wish. With a tender smile, he leaned in and placed gentle kisses on Khushi's forehead and cheeks, just like he used to.

Ratna squealed with delight, clapping her hands. "Yay! Amma and Papa kissed!"

After he kissed her, Khushi couldn't meet his eyes, feeling shy and taking a small step back.

Arnav, on the other hand, was captivated. Even though it had only been yesterday that she lost her memory, he had already missed this closeness with her. However, he would do everything to make her feel comfortable, even if it meant turning his whole life upside down.