Javed nam hai mera

Chapter 10

Javed was trembling with emotions of despair and lost. But he tried composing himself and spoke:

- Arnav, I need to go now, it's urgent, but I couldn't leave without clarifying one thing… Arnav, I swear to you - I never meant to be a reason for your suspicions towards Khushi, never wanted to be a reason for your fighting, never would even think about trying to take her away…

Arnav interrupted him playing angry:

- Jev, I'm not crazy, I saw her hitting on her hard! All the compliments, all the hand holding… what was it for?

Javed shifted uncomfortably and answered:

- Ever since that time in Harvard you lived in this self-imposed shadow of doubt… about women. So I was planning for you to see that your wife will stay by you even if someone as charming as me, - his voice was still guilty but smug, - will be around. I never thought you would take it out on her… but it turned this way and it seemed to me that you've sorted it out… but Anjali-ji said that you're fighting again… so I came to tell you everything.

If Javed would find courage to look Arnav in the eyes he would see that Arnav was smiling when he said:

- And how did you know that Khushi will not be swayed away with your pretended courting?

Khushi chuckled from behind on ridiculousness of this assumption and was about to voice her opinion on this when Javed answered:

- The moment I entered Shantivan I heard you wife explaining how she had trouble trying to keep you healthy and Anjali-ji called her your personal angel… That's enough for me to know that Khushi would never be taken away from you - not by me, not by anybody…

- True, true… - Arnav held Khushi's hand entwining their fingers. She looked his wife in the eyes and said to her:

- We belong to each other… Forever…

Silent moment that followed was filled with tangible love and adoration… but was interrupted by Javed's absentminded comment:

- Your sister can be very perceptive… when it comes to you. But she's completely blind to other people's feelings…

Arnav squeezed Khushi's fingers for reassurance to take this next very significant step in his friendship with Javed:

- So… how did she take it?

Javed looked suspicious:

- Who did? Take what?

Arnav smiled knowingly:

- How did my sister take it when you've said you love her?

Javed's jaw dropped open and he wasn't even trying to keep his composure. After few minutes of gasping he managed to say:

- How did you… when did you find out?

- Today.

- But HOW?

- Khushi, - said Arnav matter-of-factly as if this one word explained everything. And it kinda did because Javed nodded with understanding offering Khushi who was picking out from behind Arnav's back a shy smile.

- Arnav… I don't know what to say now, really…

- It's OK, Jev, it really is. It actually makes sense because you were always like a brother to me so…

Javed shook his head in disagreement as Arnav spoke not even letting him finish his thought:

- No, Arnav, not like this. She's not even completely divorced yet… And I'm not sure Anjali will ever be able to look past that "my little brother's friend" tag she labelled me with from the beginning…

Arnav placed his hand on Javed's shoulder and said with conviction:

- Jev, I'm sure Di will come around to start a new life. And I'm sure she will see you for who you right now. You just have to be here when it happens!

Javed took Arnav's hand from his shoulder and declined:

- No, Arnav, I have to go. Not only because I need some time to arrange my thoughts… but also because I really have to go… to do something.

- What exactly? - Khushi's voice was filled with more questions.

- Oh, you know, business stuff, very boring…

- Jeeeeev… - Arnav knew him better than that to believe that Jev would storm out of the house in the middle of the night for some business, - what exactly is your business?

Javed was silent for a long moment and then said:

- Shyam. He is my business.

- No, Jev, he's my business, you have to stay out of it!

This time Javed held Arnav's shoulder and said very seriously with little room for objection:

- Arnav, that man screwed up the women I love and my best friend. I will do everything in my power to ruin that man's life beyond repair. And more.

Arnav watched Javed intently… he felt that this was something Javed needed to do. So there was only one thing to say:

- Promise me you'll come back. Safely.

- I promise, Arnav. I'll be alright… I mean, I'll be safe.

And with that Javed has left them to stand in a doorway to their room. Something contracted in Arnav's chest - he was really worried about the way things will unfold for all of them now… Khushi hugged Arnav from behind and whispered softly:

- Don't worry, Arnav-ji, he wouldn't give up on Di… He just can't.

- And how do you know this for sure?

- I know somebody much like Javed-ji who cannot let go of love even when he tries…