ArHi FF: Answered Prayers - Chapter 9

- Chapter 9 -

Breakfast was a silent affair that morning. It was complete awkwardness for the two strangers who now sat not even 2 feet apart. There was an air of discomfort looming over the atmosphere. Both knew that there were many things that needed to be said. Many things that needed to be asked. But neither knew where to start. Their eyes met and their eyes drifted. The sound of forks clattering against the ceramic plates was deafening. Their hearts beat loudly, as nervousness wound around them. Arnav was especially surprised. He had never realized the feeling of being nervous. He had never felt it. And then today... in front of this girl... his heart was beating like it had never beat before. "Th-the food is nice." The girl spoke at last. Arnav could feel goosebumps on his skin. He resisted the urge to shudder at the angelic voice that spoke and instead, grunted, as if acknowledging her presence.
"You have a great house...." She added, trying to make conversation. All she received was a second grunt. Her eyes wandered to her plate, realizing that the man in front of her was obviously not one of many words. She closed her eyes, sighing. The silence was killing her. Especially since she had so many things she had to say to him. So many things she had to ask. And so, eventually, unable to resist herself, she was the first to begin the conversation.
"Why are you doing this?" She asked. He looked up, his brown eyes suddenly cold. He had expected this question from her. "Doing what?" He asked, icily. Does he really not know? She wondered. "This..." She replied slowly. "Helping me last night... saving me from the accident...allowing me to stay in your house...." He stiffened. "I'm not answerable to you." He murmured before returning to his breakfast. The girl was surprised. She had been prepared to hear anything. Any possible explanation. But how did one prepare themselves for such a response. He mouth was open. She wanted to say something. Retaliate. But her mind was suddenly blank of comebacks.
"Close your mouth." Came his curt reply. "You look like a fish."
Although she had silently obeyed his command, her eyes remained fixed on him, curiously. She didn't know how long she had continued to stare at him, but she figured it must have been a while, because she suddenly heard his voice, breaking her out of her thoughts. "I'm leaving." He pushed his seat back, standing up. She looked at him, confused. "Where?" He gave her an odd look before he threw his napkin on the table and let out an obviously exhasperated sigh. "Where does a person go, carrying a briefcase, decked out in suit and tie so early in the morning? In MY world, they go to WORK." The girl felt humiliated. Apparently it was also wrong in his world to ask questions. So when it came to asking the next question, she was unusually nervous. She wasn't prepared for another of his snide remarks. "Leaving me all alone?" She whispered. He blinked in wonderment. Looks like she's completely gone nuts after that accident. "You don't expect me to come with me do you? I see you have some high hopes." He rolled his eyes grabbing his coat and heading towards the door. "And before you think that I've let you completely off the loose let me inform you that I have cameras in every area of this house. Steal anything, and I swear it won't be pretty." He threatened, not even offering her a backward glance.
There it came. Another humiliation. Although it had only been a day since she had met him, she was starting to get a fair idea about his character. Ekdum dheela. She thought. I mean, she knew he had offered her a place to stay.... She knew he was putting food on her plate. And she was grateful for that. But were his offensive remarks really necessary? She certainly didn't think so.
"I'll be back around 6." He added before making his way out the door.
She decided to remain silent, in order to avoid his comments. Her eyes were fixed on the bowl of cereal in front of her. Strange. It tasted different. As if this was not the type of food she was usually accustomed to. She stirred her spoon, absentmindedly, through the milk. So much had happened in so little time. And somehow, she had made her way into a place she would probably never even think to go in her wildest of dreams. Destiny? Perhaps. What were the chances of her ending up here? Why was she even here? She suddenly wondered if everyone was as thoughtful as Mr. Raizada. How many people, after witnessing an accident, would not only bring the victim to their house, but also give her a place to stay and food to eat? Not many, she assumed. And then she decided it. This man was as strange as the bowl of cereal in front of her.
Sighing, she let go of the spoon and pulled back from her chair. The servent of the house immediately rushed to clean up the area. "Hari Prakash ji!" She interrupted, suddenly. "Leave it. I'll do it myself."
"Par...aap, memsaahb? (But you, miss?)" He asked, surprised. "Ji. Main dekh loongi! Waise bhi, itne badde ghar me poora din kya karoon main? (Yes, I'll see to it. Anyway, what will I do the entire day in a house so big?" He nodded. "Jaisi aapki marzi. (As you wish)"
The girl smiled. At least this would keep her occupied for an hour or so. She followed HP into the kitchen. What she saw was beyond her imagination. All the cabinets and cupboards were pure white and rimmed with gold around the borders. In the dead centre was a counter with a large, intricate glass chandalier hanging from above. The countertops were all made of marble stone and the young girl could not spot even a speck of dirt in the entire room. She scanned the entire area, awestruck. The kitchen, which she assumed would be the messiest place of the house, was perhaps the neatest and appeared completely unused.
If HP hadn't spoken at that very moment, she may have remained lost in admiration for a long time.
But he did. "Shuru karein memsaahb? (Shall we start, miss?)" She nodded, slowly heading over to the sink and dumping her bowl of cereal in it. There were no other dishes to be cleaned. In fact, she wondered if the man even HAD any other dishes! She couldn't see any! Shaking her head, she returned to the task at hand. No WAY this was going to last her an hour....
Maybe if she did it really slowly.....
"Aap theek tho hain na, memsaahb? (are you alright?)" Asked HP, breaking her out of her reverie. "HP ji, aapse ek baat puchoon? (Can I ask you something?)"
"Jee, beshak! (Yes, without a doubt!"
"Aapke saahb aapko kis baat ki paise dete hain? Yahaan tho kuch saaf karne ke liye bhi nahi hai! (What does your boss pay you for? There's nothing here to clean!)"
He chuckled. "Tho ye baat chal raha tha aapke man me! Aaj tak main ye sawaal ka jawab nahi dhoondh paya hoon memsaahb! Main tho bas ye samajh leta hoon ke ye sab bhagwaan ki daya aur maalik ki achayi ki waja se hain! (So that's what was going on in your mind! I haven't been able to figure out the answer to this question even today, miss! I just believe that it's 'Maalik's' [Arnav's] and God's kindness!"
She nodded, thoughtfully.
"Aapko lagta hai ke aapke maalik achhe hain? (Do you think your boss is a nice man?)" It was a question she was dying to know the answer for. Arnav was giving her mixed feelings. At times she felt so comfortable around him that it made her feel as if she were always meant to be here... and at others.... she felt as if she was staying with a stranger.
HP looked at her, knowingly.
"Jaante hain, mehmsaab. Pehli mulaakat me sab humaare maalik ke baareme aise hi sochte hain. Par jitne sakt woh bahar se dikhte hain na, andar se utne hi naram hain. Buhot acche hain, humaare maalik. Warna, hum jaise log, iss badi si duniya me na rahete. (I know, miss. At first sight, everyone thinks the same of my boss. But he's as soft on the inside as he is strict on the outside. He's very nice, my master! Otherwise, people like me would not be able to survive in a world like this.)"

*updating*

 

ArHi FF: Answered Prayers - Chapter 8

 

- Chapter 8 -

Dreams. Everyone had them. Arnav didn't. He had nightmares. In fact, his entire life was a nightmare. From the time he had lost his parents, till date, when he, the mighty Arnav Singh Raizada, had been shamefully dumped. Sometimes he wondered what his life would have been like if his past was not as gruesome as it was now. He wanted to feel normal. He wanted to live like an average man. But he couldn't. He was Arnav Singh Raizada. He had never listened to his heart. In fact, he had managed to form such a hard barrier around it that he barely ever felt the pain that he had once endured. Or so he liked to believe. Only he knew his dilemma. First Kiran... and now this.... Only he was stupid enough to bring a strange girl into his home and let her into his life. I thought you wouldn't become moved by emotions, Arnav. He thought, finally, before he gave a last look at the sleeping angel before him and closed his eyes.

Where am I?

Ir was the first thought that entered her mind as the bright sunlight fell on her face. She winced, feeling her head throbbing with pain. She didn't recognize the place. But she was inside. On someone's bed. How did I get here? But she had no answers to her questions. Suddenly, her eyes fell upon the strange form that was resting his head on her lap. She had an urge to push him away, frightened at her new surroundings. His face was hidden amongst the kurta of her suit. She couldn't see who he was. But whoever he was, it was clear that he had brought her to this place. Should I be scared of him? She wondered. Fear was the most logical reaction at such a situation, wasn't it? But somehow she was nothing but awestruck, looking at the sweet figure huddled against her. Slowly, she brushed her hand through his hair, sighing at the feel of it. This felt so strange...and yet so perfect. She heard a slight moan escape his lips and froze instantaneously. What am I doing? She thought, pulling away, horrified. She slid out from underneath him, awakening him in the process. Her knees weakened when her eyes fell upon him.

"You?!" She gasped. "How did you get here? It was you who brought me here, isn't it? How did you find me?!" He looked at her, his eyes widening and then hardening in anger. How dare this chit of a girl question HIM?! Suddenly, her hands reached for her neck, feeling the emptiness against it. Her face paled and her heart was sinking. Her dupatta was missing. "I knew it." She murmured."I knew it the moment you asked me to come home with you in the hospital. I had guessed your intentions then and there. Hai devi mayyia! God knows what happened last night." Hot tears welled into her eyes as she moved away from him, frightened and angry all at once.

"Listen to me." Arnav whispered, clenching his fists. The girl fell on her knees, sobbing. "What's left to listen?! How could you...? How could you even think of me like that?! All bloody men are the same." She screamed, making a futile attempt to cover her neck and chest with her arms. She knew it was only a dupatta. She knew it didn't mean anything. But somehow, she felt as if she had endured all of this before.... That she had experienced this very same situation.... with him...? Or with someone? She didn't know. But all this was reminding her of memories that were aching to be brought back. "I hate you. I hate you so much Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada!" She screamed at last. And that was it. That was the last straw. Arnav rushed to her, clutching her by the arms and pulling her to her feet. "Look at me." Her eyes remained fixed to the ground, defiantly. His fingers reached under her chin, lifting her face and ensuring that her eyes were locked onto his. "First, when I tell you to do something, you do it - no questions asked. Second, learn to shut up. Give your mouth a rest and listen to me, dammit." She looked at him, furiously, stupefied by his behaviour. "Nothing happened last night." He said, finally. "I just... I was looking for you. You left the hospital." The way he stated the final sentence sounded less of a fact and more of an accusation. "Do you have ANY idea of what I went through when I couldn't find you?!" He shouted, shaking her fiercely. "I was going crazy thinking about where you could possibly be while shunning the frightening thoughts about what might have happened to you! And you know what the worst part of it was?! That I felt responsible for losing you!" The girl's brown eyes were widened in shock. But Arnav was too furious to stop there. "And you?! You actually thought I would take advantage of you?! OF YOU?! You think too highly of yourself. What do you have? Nothing. Not the looks, not the personality. Just, NOTHING! And yet, you dare to think that I might want to do such a thing to you?!" Arnav was heaving with anger. For a second, he thought he might explode. He was known for his fury after all. "You know what, leave. Maybe I was wrong to bring you here. Just...go away."
He pushed the stunned girl away from him and strode out of his bedroom, leaving her alone once again.
For the longest time, he stood staring at himself at the enormous wall mirror that hung in his stylish washroom. He couldn't believe himself. What had gotten into him last night? Had he really slept with his head in her lap? Why? Why had he not been able to stop himself? Even in his most sober state, he had behaved as if he was drunk. How could he have gotten so carried away? And then this morning. Why had he been so hurt at her accusations.
I would have been hurt if anyone had said that to me.
He thought, trying to find comfort. But he knew he was lying to himself. He had never bothered about what others thought about him. He was a self-made man - ruthless and heartless. Then what now? Why had he felt so affected by her words? And perhaps it had not been the best of ideas to tell her to go away. From what he had learned about her so far, he knew that she wouldn't hesitate to walk away once again. He didn't want to face her. He didn't want to talk to her. But he couldn't just let her leave!
Besides, she's not completely alright yet.... She still looks feverish. He would keep her in his house will she strengthened, and then that was that. Destiny would decide her fate. Groaning in defeat, he strode grudgingly out to inform her of his decision.
The girl sat on his bed, holding her knees in her hands, feeling shocked. What had just happened to her? Why was she so scared of him one minute and so... so close to him the next? Why had she gotten so upset when he had insulted her? When he had told her that she had nothing to offer him? Was she hurt? And there came the question again: why? Who was he to her?! No one. Someone who claimed to have saved her from the accident. She closed her eyes, sighing. Claimed to have saved me? Why am I not able to trust him? Why would he lie about saving me? And then it struck her. She owed this man her life. If he hadn't come to her rescue on time.... She shuddered, thinking about what could have happened. And here I am, She thought, Yelling at the man who saved my life! She buried her head in her hands, feeling the tears spilling down her cheeks. What has gotten into me? Was I always like this? A new bout of fear came over her. She still couldn't remember who she was. And how long exactly had it been since her accident? A day? Maybe more? This wasn't normal.... I need to know what's going on with me. She thought, frightened of herself. Suddenly she felt a rough hand land on her shoulder. "Hey..."
Her heart fluttered in her chest. It was him. "Hey..." She replied back, trying to keep her voice steady. He sighed. "Look. I'm not good with all this... apologizing business. The point is... I didn't mean what I said before... about never wanting to see you again.... I mean... you can stay... until you get better. But that's it. Then you're on your own. Got it?"
She shook her head. "No. You were right. I was wrong. I've bothered you enough already.... You had to go through so much trouble for me... saving me twice... first getting me to the hospital and now bringing me to your house....I can't accept anymore favours from you. I should go."
The words escaped her lips regrettfully. She had no idea what was to come next. How would she survive in such a large city with no money, no family (at least not that she knew of) and no shelet? Heck, she didn't even know her name! The fear she felt at that very moment was overwhelming. But she had truly meant what she said. He didn't deserve this. What had he ever done to get a girl like her behind him? It wasn't fair to him.
In the very next moment, thankfully, Arnav voiced her fears. "And where exactly are you planning on staying?" The young girl's eyes were laced with tears. She didn't know. She didn't want to think about what would happen next. Most likely, she would find herself on the streets, in no time at all, hungry and tired. Who would bother offering her even a job in a city with so much competition? And had she ever had any work experience in her life? She couldn't remember. Of course, a shabby looking, exhausted girl asking for work would not exactly be a plus point for her. Most likely, the person whom she was asking the job to would kick her out. She didn't have a chance.
"I...I don't know." She admitted. "But I'll figure something out." Would she? She was not certain.
He sighed, folding his his arms on his chest. "Who are you trying to kid? Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" Somehow, the girl felt offended.
"But I can't possibly allow you to let me stay.... I'm not so selfish Mr. Raizada." He looked at her, surprised at her behaviour. She was surely an original piece. How could anyone, who practically looked like they were dying, refuse such an offer? It was truly astounding. "Look. I'm not interested in keeping you in my house either. But I don't want to be responsible if anything happens to you after you leave, because guess what? If something DOES happen to you, I'll be the first person that the police come after. And trust me, I DON'T plan on living the rest of myself in jail. So you are not leaving, and that is FINAL." His eyes were flaring red with anger. No one refused Arnav Singh Raizada. No one.
The young woman gazed searchingly at him for a few moments. What was this man made of? At times, he was so angelic... the way he had laid his head on her lap and slept. And then the very next, from he transformed into a devil, anger literally reverbrating through his form. At last, she gave a sigh of defeated relief and followed him out of the bedroom.
House? Scratch that. More like a mansion. Almost like the ones shown in movies. Except those were sets, made of plastic and styrofoam. This? This was the real thing. The moment she entered, she felt as if she were a peasant, walking in to meet the owner of the mansion - the king. She felt almost insulted. This was not the place for someone like her. She didn't belong.
It wasn't that she didn't like the house. In fact, it was far from it. She adored the house. The way he had decorated it, with just the perfect touch of serenity. The abstract art that lined the walls.... the water fountain in the middle of the main hall with  two stone angels at the top. It was downright gorgeous. But a person like her would never feel entirely comfortable in such an enormous mansion. It was just too much.
Nevertheless, the appreciation she felt for Arnav had grown ten-fold. Despite being of such high standards, he had never really made her feel... less in value than him. And she doubted many people had that skill. She continued her walk through his house, awed at every aspect of it.
"Freshen up." She was shaken out of her thoughts by Arnav's voice. "I'll have Hari Prakash get breakfast on the table. You should get something to eat." The girl nodded, wondering where she would find a bathroom in such an enormous palace of a house. And then, as if he had read her thoughts, he responded. "The washroom is to the left, right down that hall." She gave him another nod, moving in his mentioned direction.
She almost fainted when she saw the washroom. Washroom? Forget that. The room was big enough to live in. Every inch of the room was spotlessly clean. Not a speck of dirt in sight. As if it hadn't been used at all. From inside the exquisite glass shower, she could smell fine perfumes of different soaps, making her feel light headed. Slowly she walked to the large, ovular wall mirror. So this is how she looked? Not ugly... but not exactly beautiful either. The lines of her face were soft and her skin was a palish brown - as if she hadn't seen the sun for a few weeks. They were her eyes that caught her attention. Somewhere along the lines of black and brown. She wasn't sure exactly which. But those eyes.... Were they really her own? She felt as if she were looking at her body through someone else's shoes. She sighed, leaning against the countertop. It was so horrible... the feeling of not knowing who you are.... How was she ever going to figure anything out? She turned the metal handle of the tap to the left.
Cold. The water pounded against the skin of her hands. She closed her eyes, ignoring the shiver that raced up her spine. Slowly bending down, she leaned her head into the sink, splashing her face with the icy water. It felt nice. Ironically, comforting to her confused mind. I need to know who I am. She thought. I need to remember. This is not right. Who was she? Who was her family? Did she even have one? How did the accident happen? Why didn't she remember anything? Why wasn't Arnav telling her more? Why was he behaving so... strangely around her? The hurdle of questions whirring around her mind were dizzying to say the least. I'll figure it all out. She promised herself. But first... I have to thank him. Properly. He had already done a lot more than necessary for her. She reached for the towel next to her and buried her face into it. Why was her life so complicated? And there it was. Another question that she had no answer to. Sighing, she returned the towel to its rightful spot and made her way out.