I’m looking through you, where did you go
I thought I knew you, what did I know
You don’t look different, but you have changed
I’m looking through you, you’re not the same
~The Beatles~
“You did it. You told her.”
Gail looked up to see Hannah slide into the chair beside her, her face warped in a look of concern she had seen her sister wear more than any other in the lifetime they shared. Gail smiled slowly and nodded.
“She needed to know.” Gail said simply, aware that her sister position on the matter was still different from hers.
“I don’t know about that, Gillie. Who needs to know that their mother interfered in their life and never said a word for years?” Hannah challenged.
“This family seems to do enough of that.” Gail tried to be flippant despite potency of truth in her sister’s words. She smiled at Hannah again and picked up her glass of wine, sipping the liquid gently before she turned to answer. “You are right. I don’t know if she needed to know. But I needed to tell her. Just like I wish Ma had said something to me about knowing that Shashi was in love with me as long back as before our wedding. I had forgotten that. Strange how I did exactly what I vowed I would never do – keep things from my children.” Gail’s breath caught in her throat. “Ma didn’t undo hers in time. But I used my chance to make amends. I changed something once and she…”
“All it gives her is another what-if, Gillie. Don’t you think she has enough of those?” Hannah said with a sigh.
“But that is life, isn’t it Hannah? A series of what-ifs if you choose to do it that way.” Gail said as the smile slipped and her eyes grew tired again. She could feel exhaustion catch up as her head swim. “I know I made a mistake then and telling her now probably puts her in an impossible situation – for now but in the long run…” She shrugged. “She needs to know that mine was a half life because of my choices. And that I shadowed hers with some of the same choices. But it isn’t too late. She still has the chance at happiness, freedom, peace. Something has to change somewhere before I go. And this is what I chose to change.”
“You have to stop talking like that, Gillie. You aren’t going anywhere.”
Gail sipped her wine again before replying. “I can feel it, Hannah. And you know it happens to us.”
“Still…”
“Which is why I am glad Arnav did what he did.” Gail interrupted before her sister to the chance to start talking about looking on the bright side, about how hope had found a place in the Isle again, about how things were looking up. The truth was, both Hannah and she knew that intuition about impending death was real for most human beings and in their case, it was heightened thanks to their powers. It wasn’t a cause for sadness, it wasn’t one born out of depression or worry. It was just fact. And all it meant to Gail was that it was time to put her affairs in order. Which she had started to do earlier this year with Arnav’s return to the Isle and now by finally telling Khushi what she needed to know to be able to move forward. She had on countless occasions in the last decade or so, tried to talk to Khushi about the one meeting with Arnav, every time, deciding against it at the last minute because Arnav had stayed away, because the time wasn’t right, because there was no knowing when he would make his way back. And despite the fact that she had seen the flame in her daughter’s eyes flicker and go out when she had revealed her intrusion, she felt lighter today.
“Is that what you expected him to do when you asked him to find his way last night?” Hannah asked.
“Expected? No. Hoped. I hoped that it would be his next step. It is the only way for him to move forward now. He needs to know about our magic, the curse and then he will know what he needs to do.” Gail said softly. “But he surprised me. The Sun Cottage, that lakeside area…that boy is magic alright.” She smiled to herself.
Hannah stayed silent as the two women looked out towards the small makeshift dance floor where the rest of their family was dancing and enjoying what seemed to be the beginning of the life of more smiles. Gail could see Khushi standing slightly outside the small circle that had formed with Krishna in the center as conversation replaced dancing as the band took a small break. In that moment, her eyes flew around but she couldn’t spot Arnav anywhere in the small ball-room that was hosting them this evening. Her heart constricted painfully for her little girl. Her Kathy had always had a little more of her heart than Ally – something that had made her feel unjust and unfair but something she couldn’t control just given how painfully difficult her younger twin’s life was destined to be.
But for the first time in years, she could see a tinge of hope – real hope and it was only that part of her that made her foolishly wish she could stay on to witness it.
“What happens if Arnav and Khushi don’t work it out?” Hannah asked a few moments later, interrupting Gail’s thoughts but seeing Khushi amidst everyone else, just as Gail had been.
Gail took a deep breath. “The cycle starts all over again. Krishna, Payal and Shay’s child to be, any other children that Aditi and Khushi might have in the future, will take over and the fight will resume from where their parents left off.” She knew the words meant a lot more than just what she had said.
“That means Payal and Aman and…maybe even Arnav will…”
Gail remained silent. Hope was a strange silver ray of winter sun. While it brought with it, the promise of warmth, it also reminded one of the darkness that could in one large swallow, take it all away.
————–
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Khushi looked around to see Payal slide into the bar stool next to where Khushi was sitting. She smiled at her friend as Payal removed the single hair stick that held her French knot in place and shook her head so that her hair fell around her face in large waves.
“You should be dancing. This is your party after all.” Khushi replied as Payal adjusted her pale lavender saree and shook her head at the barman who was just about to place a glass of white wine in front of her. “Just water, please.”
“My feet are killing me. I need to put them up for a bit.” Payal remarked. “Oh and can you please push that glass away.” She said pointing at Khushi’s wineglass. “One of these moments, I am going to forget I am pregnant and acutally drink some of that.”
Khushi chuckled and pushed her glass to the side. “All your morning sickness seems to have disappeared over the last couple of days.”
Payal smiled the first true-blue happy smile Khushi had seen on her friend’s face in so long. “It does, doesn’t it? What can I say? I just got married into a family of magic. Looks like they heal magically too.” She joked.
“Touche!” Khushi replied with a smile.
The barman placed a glass of water in front of Payal, which she downed in a couple of large swigs and sighed in contentment. “So? Do you want to talk about it?” Payal asked again as she placed her empty glass back on the counter.
She considered the question for a moment. As always, changing the topic or asking Payal to let her deal with it alone, seemed so easy. But suddenly she felt too weary to keep quiet yet again and let her thoughts overwhelm her like they had been doing for almost twenty four hours now. If she were to be honest to herself, she would know that she was actually glad to have Payal ask that question. Because she really didn’t want to do this alone – at least once before pried herself away from everyone who was around her.
“He wanted to meet me and apologize before he left Goa.” Khushi said slowly, opening with the only line that seemed to echo in her head.
If Payal was surprised or confused, she didn’t show it. It was the unspoken protocol between the three of them – they allowed theother to talk in the way they wanted to without asking questions till the other was done and while Ally rarely followed protocol, Payal lived by it. She remained silent, allowing Khushi’s thoughts to stop swirling madly in her head.
“Ma went to meet him. He..he was sick…overdose of coke for the second time between that day and when I had last seen him.” Khushi found the words sticking to her tongue, her mouth parched and dry as she recounted what her mother had revealed. Unable to take the intensity of her own reaction, she looked up into Payal’s eyes and saw nothing but understanding of what she felt and reassurance that she wasn’t crazy to feel this crazily worried for something that had happened so many years ago.
“How did Aunty G know to go?” Payal asked softly
“She heard him.”
Payal looked away and smiled sadly. “Because you didn’t. You blocked him out.”
It wasn’t a question. It was proof that her friend knew her inside out without her having to say anything. It was mutual – a relationhip that worked just as beautifully as magic did because it was built on love and a lifelong friendship.
Khushi swallowed. She had blocked him out. As had he. She had assumed that it had all come crashing down that day in front of his friends and that it was the end of the road for him. She had never questioned his actions thereafter, choosing to do what she could do on her part – lock it all up and put it away so that it would never hurt her and that she would never hurt her family in turn. She had given up.
But he hadn’t. The fight had remained within. He had called out to her. He had wanted to apologize. She could feel the tears prick at the back of her eyes. All these years, he had waited to do what he had wanted to as far back as then.
“Ma asked him to leave, to stay away.” She continued now picking up her glass and sipping the warm liquid, waiting for the ruby ink to make its way into her blood. A small blurb of laughter escaped her lips as the wine settled into her veins. “Like a bad Hindi mafia movie, Ma asked him to leave me alone and make something of himself before he could ask for forgiveness.”
Payal’s mouth remained uncurved. It was a sign for Khushi to rein in her own flash of hysteria.
“Are you angry with your mother?”
It was the question she had been battling since she had seen it in her mother’s eyes. Khushi swirled the glass around, watching as the liquid bounced off the crystal and merged back into the ocean in the center. Shaking her head, she looked up at Payal. “No. I am not angry with Ma. I thought of Krishna in the same place and…I would have done the same thing.”
Payal smiled this time and shook her head. “No, you would not have. But I know what you are saying.” Khushi stayed silent. It made perfect sense in her head. After the destruction that his relationship with her daughter had unleashed upon them all, after seeing him battling the final clutches of his addiction, what else could have her mother done except ask him to leave.
“What do you think would have happened if he hadn’t left?”
“I don’t know” Khushi shrugged simply. “I have been trying to think about that. A part of me tells me nothing that hadn’t happened would have happened. He would have apologized. I might have given him a chance. I never could keep my sanity around him. And he was the addict.” Khushi smiled at herself bitterly.
“You forgave him then, Khushi. If he had apologized in person, you would have accepted his apology. There is no might about it. The only person you blamed was yourself. He would not have understood that he was to blame for what he did even if you did forgive him. He would have gone back to his coke again someday. He would have wasted his entire life swinging between wanting to be better for you and failing because it cannot be done like that – without professional help. Instead his going away changed everything. Distance helped. Whatever Aunty G’s motive was, it helped.” Payal said firmly. “Look at him now. I don’t claim to know much about him, but the boy who stole potassium cyanide, the boy whose motorcycle knocked you down because he couldn’t keep his eyes away from you – this is not that boy. It helped him, Khushi.”
Khushi looked away and put her glass down.
It helped him.
Yes. There was no doubt in her mind about that.
And it broke her.
It was what she had once said to the man in question. He turned his life around. She just lived hers. Till he decided to save her.
“That is not all,” She said softly.
This time, Payal swerved her bar stool and stared at her, her eyes slightly wide in her face. But Khushi didn’t have to elaborate.
“He came back..for you. The Isle – the stake – it was all part of his apology and Aunty G knew.”
Khushi ‘s mouth tightened. There was nothing sinister about the whole thing. And yet, she felt like she had been betrayed. He played her again, buying time and the Isle to make big, dramatic gestures. And her mother had allowed him to do it. Why? Because she could see how sincere he was being? Because her mother could see what Khushi couldn’t? He had centered his life around his apology to her. It made her want to cry and throw his arms around him. And yet, it kept her away. Around her. Not with her.
“Wow.”
Khushi smiled this time, unable to control the curve her lips folded into even as the enormity of just how close Arnav had always been sunk in under her skin.
“He did all of this to…the lighthouse painting in his office, the fountain in his resorts, the Isle, the wait for all these years. All to say sorry. Do you understand what it means, Khushi?”
Her heart was beating rapidly against her chest, hammering against her ribs so forcefully that she felt the pain, piercing and sharp with every breath she took. She had spent years in darkness floundering with guilt of sending her father to an early death, pain of having to endure vileness that she still did not understand the reason for and he..he had always known…he had spent his life working towards this. It was like she was a ship caught in the storm at sea, a ship that had been played by the ocean’s whim – with no choice to lose its way and never find the shore.
“I need air.” She whispered and stumbled out of the stool, barely managing to save herself from tripping over her saree.
“Khushi…” Payal called out, a little more urgently this time but Khushi was too frazzled to care. She needed to find some alone time before it all became too much for her once more. She needed time to herself. And space.
—————
She saw them as soon as she stepped out into the poolside area. There were enough guests around for her to have missed them but such happy camouflages had never been for her. She had always been wired to find Arnav and tonight was no exception. She had dreaded this moment ever since she had entered the small ballroom earlier in the evening – especially at the heel of her mother’s revelation. She had no idea how she would face him because she still didn’t know how she felt about all of it. She had reassured her mother that she had done the right thing years ago and that had been the truth. But to think of him – he had taken her mother’s advice, warning, whatever it was and left. She didn’t deny that it was the best thing for him to do – he did what he should have done and put his life back together and raised a wonderful child. She was so proud of him for stepping up when he was needed to. Wasn’t it always what she had hoped for – the person he could be that she had seen behind the walls? And yet, she couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t come back earlier. Thirteen years? Couldn’t she argue that he had waited with purpose and plan and she had been left to flounder – with not even hope to bank upon?
Khushi took a deep breath and looked at him again as he smiled briefly at the woman in front of him.
Lavanya.
They looked like there had been no time lost in between. Yes, Lavanya’s face wasn’t one of gazing adoration anymore. She wasn’t simpering around her ex-boyfriend like she once had. But nothing could mask the look of familiarity that screamed that this meeting hadn’t been to Lavanya what his sudden to appearance to her had been. They looked…comfortable, like long lost friends.
If she wanted, she could close her eyes and she would hear what they were talking about. Rather what Lavanya was saying. Arnav was silent, nodding and smiling as Lavanya spoke. She wanted to pry herself away from that spot near the poolside. But like everything else, she was destined to witness what seemed like the millionth hammer in the wall that separated Arnav and her.
“Her husband’s family owns resorts in Arpora, Panjim and Mapusa. I think they’ve worked together in the past – Arnav and Nishant – Lavanya’s husband. That’s why she is…”
Khushi whirled around to NK walking up to her with a glass of champagne in his hand. She shook her head and tried to smile. But it was useless. NK had always had a knack of seeing right through her defenses – much like Payal and Ally did. Though their friendship of sorts had been initiated in school, it was only once all of them had finished college and settled down into their chosen livelihoods that NK had become close with the three friends. It had always made Khushi just a little uncomfortable to know that NK was romantically interested in her since that first meeting outside the school assembly room. But to NK’s credit, other than the occasional invitations to coffees and lunches that Khushi had rarely accepted, there had never been anything to disrupt the easy friendship that came to the four of them when the issue of his feelings for her was forgotten. AS a result, the truth behind what had happened with Arnav and her had always been known to NK to the same extent as it was to Ally till last evening. Being the gentleman he was, he had kept any questions he might have had to himself.
But looking at him now, Khushi realized he had probably suspected Arnav’s involvement in her maintaining distance from any romantic pursuits.
She remained silent, accepting the glass of champagne from him wordlessly as she glanced towards where Lavanya and Arnav were standing only to see another man – Lavanya’s husband – join them in their conversation.
“I know the Bhats because they use my firm for maintenance and repair work in their resorts. They are one of my biggest clients. Recently there has been talk of some sort of private equity take over to help them expand. I think they are talking to ARC about that. Nishant and Arnav know each other from their time in Mumbai a few years back – I believe Arnav hired him as General Manager for one of ARC’s prime properties in Mumbai when he was looking to build his skillset before he took over his father’s resorts here in Goa. I think Lavanya might have been instrumental in introducing them.”
Khushi sipped her champagne and turned her back to Arnav to face NK. After school, Lavanya had left Goa to study in Mumbai for a few years and then there had been news about her pursuing a brief, unremarkable career as a model before she met Nishant Bhat. She had married Nishant Bhat six years ago, surprising everyone with her relocation to Goa and eventual motherhood. In all her guesses, Khushi would never have associated Lavanya with domesticity but that is what she had chosen though her inherent need to be popular and have a bevy of people around her still remained stoked by her position in the upper echelons of Goa’s business families.
It must have been during her days in Mumbai that she had reconnected with Arnav, Khushi concluded, ignoring the way a small piercing pain lodged in her chest. He hadn’t disappeared at all.
Except from her life.
“Are you okay?” NK asked her, making her realize that she hadn’t said a word since NK had joined her by the pool.
Khushi nodded with a painful smile. “I’m fine. We should go back in.” She said and then promptly changed the topic to talk about Sheetal’s arrival in Goa and subsequent New Year’s Eve celebrations, as they walked away from the poolside back to the ballroom. If NK noticed anything unnatural about Khushi’s smile or her subsconscious absent mindedness – he didn’t remark on it, as always choosing to leave her with the privacy she valued more than anything else
The Emerald Isle Tales 
I hope Gail is wrong and she stays longer…..Will Arnav be jealous seeing Khushi with NK?
So Khushi is not as averse as she’s trying to be..
I so badly want Aditi to team uo with Arnav and get them sorted !
Loved the chapter 😍
Shashi loved Gail all the way even before he even married his first wife. And Gail thought neither he was in love with her nor she was in love with him. How wrong was she? She admitted what she asked Arnav to do, all those years ago. She also admitted that he wanted to meet Khushi one last time and she did not allow him to do that. Khushi being Khushi thought that was for the best. Her mother hasn’t done anything which warrants forgiveness from Khushi. But, that changed the course of action for Khushi. Now she became even more adamant and doesn’t want to put Arnav in the path of the curse. So, she will try her best stay away from him. Will she succeed?
She does not need to look too far. She found him talking with Lavanya and unknowingly it broke her heart. She got another reason to stay away from him.
Cheers…….
Oh arnav tells her already that he waited for her call😞😞
Khushi felt left out of the circle that happened around her. Arnav, Lavanya and NK met and connected a few years after Arnav left. Khushi remained ignorant of what happened to Arnav . While he was building his life , she was left floundering.
Oh! The Gail – Hannah conversation moved something in me,… i am not sure if it was the pain etched in Gails words .. her stance… or the aspects of she dying that caused it… all i remember now is the way it felt when i read it … lumpy throat… and a heavy heart… so much that i was blankly reading the next part without registering much of its content…
So i had to stop abruptly … take a break and start with the part again! Only to be further pushed into despair… *sigh*
Not that i was expecting any hunky-dory stuff either … but reading Khushi’s state and her thoughts does that to you … where you are left feeling helpless and infuriatingly despondent…
Oh and then Lavanya and Arnav had to happen to add to it… Whatever might be the case moved on with their lives or not .. it still leaves you with a bitter taste knowing their past… which obviously does not sit well! So to see them all beamish only vexed me further!!
And i felt totally content when Khushi brings it up in the later chap abt her take on them!
ok.. this was a filler chapter ok…. total filler.. so much happening.. i am on a friggin paragliding parachute on a cliff!!!! :P:P
I’m trying to place my self in Khushi’s shoes only to find my head spinning while trying to think what would be the best course of action for her to pursue. So, I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the ride while you handle the difficult business 😛 I don’t even feel guilty because I know how good you’re at it 😉
loved the update..simply superb…keep it up.. 🙂
Surya.Ravi.. 🙂
Meera waiting for the next update dear
Melancholy reigned supreme for me in this chapter but of course that was inevitable. The dark clouds do not just vanish. They need the wind to move further and further away before they disappear from our sight.
Gail and Hannah’s conversation left behind the depressing thought that things could go wrong for this generation too because unless they try to work out the puzzle of living through the curse, they wouldn’t know. But I trust you to make Arnav, Aman and Payal to be there for their spouses.
Payal is that freind who can put it in perspective for Khushi. and She did. reminding her of all Arnav had done and telling her to move on of course not in so many words but suggesting it nonetheless.
The last part was heart wrenching. To think that the man you love and who loves you back disappeared from your life alone while he remained accessible to others. Pain indeed. But it was their destiny. Now it is time to set that right. I wish Khushi takes the next step coz its high time she stopped going with the flow.
wowwwwwww superb update.. Finally khusi knows everything, Ohhh god I m so happy.. I hv waited for ts update from ages.. I m worried after hearing Gail and Hannah’s conversation.. I know what gail did was best for arnav.. It helped him alot but still It was too much for khusi to bear.. ‘Except from her life’ ts line actually made me cry.. feeling bad for her.. Payal and NK r really good frnds, Khusi is lucky to have such frnds.. m eagerly eagely waiting for next update.. curious to know what will happen when they will confront each other .. specially Khusi !!!
As I am reading this chapter I cannot hold myself back from thinking if we would get to listen to Arnav’s side of the story. I know you are writing this from Khushi’s perspective but I am hoping to know what Arnav felt and why did he truly take so long to come back…
This is beautifully written as always but I am also feeling like Khushi that he took to long to come back…sometimes apology however grand it may be feels like nothing compared the years that Khushi had lost and I know that her mother is as responsible but i still feel the loss.
loved the update
Lavanya back in the pic
Seems like lav and NK will act as catalyst to bring arnav and khushi together
hope we will get to see much happier khushi in future, since she is always tense since the story started, never carefree
why no update today?
Updates on Tuesday and Friday 🙂
ohh ok no prob…will wait ….thanks 🙂
Khushi right now seems a bit overwhelmed with the revelation, not knowing how to react and what to feel. It’s a bit natural because all these years she was in dark not knowing that Arnav was sorry for what he said and did, he wanted to apologize but didn’t because of her mother and when he is back after years she knows that he has come just for her. The realization is worth making anyone go numb.
Payal is right about how Gail did the right thing. When Arnav was with Khushi he was trying to give up on his addiction but going away from her proved to be the essential push he needed to finally break away from the coke. And he is such a changed man but his heart, his feelings for Khushi are still the same.
I don’t want Gail to die anytime soon. she deserves to see her children happily settled, free from curse.
Lavanya is back. Wow!! I am looking forward to it. Sometimes external forces help to make us realize and confess our feelings. I know Lavanya still behaves badly with Khushi much like in school time but this time it’s going to be different because we have a new changed, improved Arnav. 🙂
M, I am staunch Khushi supporter. But in this chap my heart went all out to Gail. As a mother maybe most of us would have made the same choice as she did – asking Arnav to be away from Khushi.
Gail’s regret is so relatable. But then she has also suffered right? Loss of a loved one with whom she couldn’t much enjoy the bliss of togetherness and a loving relationship.
and the way she said about her going away.. it scared me M. Is there no way she stays and sees happiness of her children and enjoys company of her other grandkids??
Splendid update as always. The narration about Gail’s revelation through Khushi’s and payal’s convo is good. Liked it. I hope Khushi will not yield to Arnav as easily as was shown in the serial. Wating to read the next post.
the distance really helped arnav but khushi…..
she has suffered so much…
amazinggg update dear….
IF smartgirl9009
khushi or rather i should say you put it best when mentioning the boat in the ocean. this part ….it was like khushi was that center point frozen in space and time continuum and past, everything and everyone else was going as if she was not there in front of her eyes. everyone has a limit , a tipping point and though her time in past esp the end f the arnav debacle could be considered as such for her, the reality is it wasnt it. and i am afraid for her to know how much more she will take before she breaks. continue soon!
First of all..apologies Meera for not commenting in the last two chapters..was out of town for a wedding..just finished reading both of them..Will be back Very Soon with my thoughts on the two chapters… 🙂
Truly Amazing
i adore Payal’s relationship with Khushi
This story is an addiction
Chapter 44.
AND GUESS WHO IS BACK! 🙂
Sorry for the caps lock, Im just too excited!
I am late, but asli duniya had become too demanding, Meera. Exams have this tendency to drain out all my energies.
Anyways, I am here, now. And oh boy am I happy! Typing this also seems to be so…so liberating, so amazing.
I read all the chapters I had missed, and you have successfully managed to stun me into silence yet again. Reading a chapter once in 4 days(like we are used to) is one thing, but reading 3-4 chapters together…with my emotions going through a roller-coaster like no other… is a feeling at another level altogether! 😀
So many monumental happenings in these chapters, so many revelations, so many steps forward.
Krishna finally made peace with Shay. Well, maybe not completely. She still has a long way to go. But Shay’s gift – her mother’s photograph, would have undoubtedly left a mark on the child and would surely play a part in the acceptance of Shay’s position in her life.
Krishna is a strong child, but a child nonetheless. Her painful ‘Mamma…’ on seeing her mother’s picture made my heart go out to her.
Also, as I see more of her in these chapters, I can’t help being amazed and sort-of proud at the impeccable way Arnav has brought her up. Her ready acceptance of everyone’s gifts…of everyone in the Isle, even after knowing certain bitter truths about her life related to the very same people. Her acknowledgement of Arnav’s position in her life and letting him know the same, thereby easing a lot of his worries and anxieties – who can say she’s only a teenager?
The photograph brought back fond memories for everyone in the isle, memories of happy times…but it had an altogether different implication for Khushi and Arnav. Khushi was reminded of her naïve teenage self, her secret meetings with Arnav, the alcove and of a time when her mind was clouded with his thoughts, when seeing him, meeting with him, talking to him had been her first and only priority. Arnav sensed it too…but remained impassive. Oh, Meera, what wouldn’t I give to get a sneak-peek into Arnav’s mind in such situations. Also, he’s keeping his words…he said he isn’t going anywhere and now I find myself trusting him. I love how he misses no chance to remind Khushi that he has not forgotten anything that happened between them so many years back.
“I haven’t forgotten anything. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. Which I didn’t.”
Also, his acknowledgement of Shay and Payal’s relationship…acceptance of those gifts from Gail and Hannah.. the very visible changes he has painstakingly brought about in him for Khushi. Sigh, I feel hopeful.
But, there is a long way to go. He still doesn’t know Khushi shares her birthday with him.. and the real reason she couldn’t come to the alcove that night. She doesn’t know Gail’s role in shaping her and Arnav’s relationship. And so much more is still unsaid. The question is – will those truths/revelations change anything? Maybe yes. Maybe not at all. Only time will tell. And I’m ready to wait. ☺
And Oh! Congratulations to the most happening couple at the Isle – Aman and Aditi! After so many years of denying herself happiness…Ally finally says ‘Yes’ to a lifetime of it, with Aman…her soulmate.
It was a surreal moment, when he proposed to her in a way that was so inherently Aman, and the way Ally replied back in affirmative, thereby whole-heartedly accepting their relationship.
I also didn’t miss Arnav and Ally’s silent truce. In all these chapters, my mind keeps getting back on one word – Acceptance. We’re heading towards that, aren’t we? Slowly, but surely.
When Arnav told Khushi that he had a gift planned for the Isle, for her – my mind cooked up many plausible options. The alcove was one of them. While I had an idea that his gift could be something in relation to it, never did I imagine him buying it altogether and gifting it to Khushi – so that she could own it.
For me, it was symbolic of him letting her own his heart, mind and soul. He wanted her to know that the alcove wasn’t just a secret meeting spot for him, it was a place where he had once rid himself of all pretenses, was at his vulnerable best, where he had bared his heart and soul for her to see. It was a silent message that his heart was hers then, and it still belonged to her. The alcove had been their secret haven, a separate world where only the two of them existed, as soulmates. A place where Arnav had learned to let go of his inhibitions and trusted her, where he had found his Angel, his savior. It was also the place where two young hearts were broken…and him gifting the place to her meant him giving her the sole power of mending his heart.
Wow, Meera. How do I even begin to tell you what level you have taken EIT to ..with this little gift of his? Hats off.
The other gifts, were equally unexpected, if not more. Sun Cottage for Shay and Payal– I certainly did not think of that. He could have easily gifted Khushi the alcove and left it at that. He didn’t need to gift Shay and Payal anything. Yet, he did. Goes on to say so much about how he has changed as a person altogether. His thoughtfulness amazed me. 🙂
Lastly, his decision to discuss with Krishna about the family’s magic. Talk about HUGE progress! I was O-faced and all kinds of shocked.
The next chapter brought with it the much awaited revelation of the series. Gail finally told everything to Khushi.
Before anything else, I have to say that Gail and Shashi have given a whole new meaning to love and just how deep a feeling it is. I find myself at a loss of words, Meera. Such a heart-wrenchingly beautiful story. One accepted to live with unrequited love all his life and one decided to deny herself the love for the sake of the other’s life.
I had tears in my eyes.
Later, when Gail finally made the revelation and informed Khushi about her role in Arnav and her life…I found myself waiting with baited breath for Khushi’s reaction.
And here we are, Chapter forty four, where we see yet another round of surprising events and (re-)entries! 😉
Khushi now knows everything, and her reaction to it all is still unclear, but I guess it would have to be that way for now. Like Hannah said, the truth about Gail’s intervention in her life has added a fresh new bout of ‘what-ifs’ for her to process and mull over. I don’t know how I expected or wanted Khushi to react – but clearly she will take time to digest it all.
Facing Arnav after knowing that he has always been there…re-structuring his life, for her…and waiting to come back to her – will not seem easy.
Khushi being Khushi would never hold a grudge against her mother for doing what she did. She still needs some answers from Arnav, but for that she has to talk to him. Let him in. And stop running away.
Like Payal said,
“He came back..for you. The Isle – the stake – it was all part of his apology and Aunty G knew. Wow.”
“He did all of this to…the lighthouse painting in his office, the fountain in his resorts, the Isle, the wait for all these years. All to say sorry. Do you understand what it means, Khushi?”
On another note, NK and Lavanya are back! I am not sure if I’m happy to see Lavanya back in their lives, but clearly she will be a catalyst in helping Khushi to come to a final decision about her and Arnav’s relationship and so I will wait and watch.
Well, now that we’re done with a lot of truth revelations – Khushi and Arnav’s personalities will come into play and their individual ways with which they decide to proceed further.
That was a summary (a very long one!) of all the 3-4 chapters I had missed. Thank you Meera. For writing this story. Also, I read your reply to my comment on Chapter 38, and was amazes yet again at your humility. I feel so privileged to be your reader.
See you on Tuesday!
Welcome back!!! 😀
Aww, thank you Meera! 🙂
You have no idea how much I missed this place.
Wow ! You have awesome control! I dont think I can hold myself from reading even if I have exams..:)
Haha no, no. 🙂 No control.
See, when I read a chapter of EIT, it stays with me for a long time. My mind keeps going over all the developments in the chapter, I analyse and re-analyse all kinds of scenarios for hours together.
At this rate, I would have written nothing but Arnav, Khushi, lighthouse and alcove in my papers. 😛
Which is not such a good thing!
Also, I could have read these while exams were going on, but then I wouldnt be doing justice to this story.
Trust me, Im as (unhealthily!) addicted as you to this story. 😀
:D… I get it.. I do that too… Addiction it is!
You are right, Arnav and Khushi are probably going to take up the space on your papers.. Good decision!…:)
amazing chapter…..loved it very much…i badly missed arnav in chapters 43 and 44….and i loved the part where gail explained 2 khushi about her past…am also glad that shashi loved her from the start…that was very sweet of him 2 accept her even after knowing about the curse…and the revelation about gail going 2 die came as a big blow 2 me…that was one of my favorite characters in this story…but since u need to wrap up the story i can understand it but i just hope that she dies only after watching khushi and arnav happy together so that she could rest in peace….and i must say payal is very good at understanding khushi..ofcourse the way u show us the friendship b/w them is truly brilliant…i just can wait 2 read wat happens next….ofcourse the next part will obviously include khushi and arnav together…so cant wait 2 read it 🙂
wow!Holy Gail passed on her crown to Khushi..can anyone ever be So forgiving & understanding? 13 yrs of her life wasted n no reaction? …
It helped him.
And it broke her.
Gail’s interference did help Arnav.
There is no doubt about it.
But Khushi is feeling let down by everyone.
She gave up her dreams and spent all those years in guilt.
Waiting now for the next update.
Brilliant update…hope kushi doesnt lose hope……great to see everyone together ….continue soon
I think what Gail did was right but she should have told the thruth to Kathy, I mean she had the right to know that he had called for her when she had blocked everything. My God she had just lost her father and blaming herself.
But I am damn angry at Khushi, why can’t she for once decide what she wants in her life. I know she is hurt but the guy has been apologising through everything, the picture.
Fabulous update Meera as always.
Hi Meera , I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to reply on the previous 2-3 posts. I’m with Gail here. If I had a daughter who was so much in love with a boy who was by all means completely wrong for her with his addiction, personality issues and what not, I would have done the same. And Khushi was such a naive girl, she blamed herself for all that happened.She would have forgiven him, and their relationship wouldn’t have been easy for anyone. Him , her or her family. Gail’s interference really made him the man he is. As for Khushi, the reason she’s stuck in a rut was because she still holds herself responsible for her father’s death. And she gave up all that ambition and spirit, because she was weighed down by her guilt. From my understanding, I think it was because of Shashi’s death, not just Arnav’s betrayal. But there’s always time to turn your life around. She shoudl think about that.
I completely agree with Payal!!! Gail did the RIGHT thing!! If i had been a mother i would have the same thing!! Arnav should thank Gail for making him change his life…
For once i am angry with Khushi, i don’t know the reason exactly…but isn’t there anything in her life except Arnav??? If he had apologised for his awful behavior… she would have forgiven him, just like that?? I know she had a connection with him and all..but what about the way he smashed her whole life?? The one who wanted to be a doctor…is now nothing..the naive girl who believed in soulmates is gone..
He “gifted” her a piece of land and he’s now the good guy!! Where was he all those years?? He had the time to meet Lavanya
Continued- but not Khushi!! I wish Khushi for once just gets a life…
HELLO Meera Di!!!
I know I am vry irreguler in commenting but exams are on the way. Sry..
About the chapter… as alwys simply WOWW!!
Your way of creating each different relation with a serene essence in itself jst captivates me..
I jst adore the relation Ally-Payal-Khushi share… true piece of bffs thing…
And I learn what makes a Best Friend.. Thank you!!!
Am eagerly waiting for an Arnav-Khushi talk now..
“She had spent years in darkness floundering with guilt of sending her father to an early death, pain of having to endure vileness that she still did not understand the reason for and he..he had always known…he had spent his life working towards this. It was like she was a ship caught in the storm at sea, a ship that had been played by the ocean’s whim – with no choice to lose its way and never find the shore.”
Khushi’s sense of betrayal is shrieking out of her muteness, manifesting in the near hysteria that is bubbling within her ..this sense of betrayal is very natural but it refutes her stated forgiveness of both Arnav and her mother. While she was floundering, he had a goal to work towards.
Again, I wish for an insight into Arnav but I remember that this story is from Khushi’s point of view so that is a futile hope, not to be fulfilled. Everyone has moved on but Khushi is still in that same place she was 13 years ago and until she gets her closure she can not move on. I had mistakenly thought that with Gail’s revelation of the part she played in Arnav’s departure from Goa! Khushi would get her closure but that has only made it worse. Basically Gail has passed the burden on and Khushi has more questions than ever. Does Khushi realize about Gail’s impending demise? If it comes to pass, will Khushi be able o bear it ? What will that do to her already fragile emotional state?
The big question is, why had he stayed away until now. Was it because he was waiting for her to call out to him?
I am really missing Arnav……he has not been around for last two updates….please bring him back.
You’ll see him on Tuesday 🙂
When will it be Tuesday?….waiting!!!! Lol Meera, what an addiction.