Chapter 24

"Maybe if you search well enough, you will find yourself loved, Jyotsna," he mused, wondering if she would understand the hidden meaning behind his words.

"I don't have the energy to search for love anymore, Mr. Ranawat. I don't want to be used under the guise of love once again. Maybe, if you told me years ago that I will give up on love, I would mark you to be an idiot but now, I will mark my former self to be one - for believing in that emotion and its widespread presence in such a naive manner. As of now, it doesn't really matter. I guess, it was the hormones talking when I was craving for love or maybe I was missing Amma," she replied, a whimsical smile playing on her lips as Arjun 's world and head spun with the sheer intensity of her words.

Destiny had meted out the punishment which he could not even imagine. For years, he had turned down dozens of women who claimed to love him due to his disbelief regarding that blissful emotion and when he had finally fallen for one, she had her belief on love erased. He was aware that she held the institution of marriage with great regard and wedding was probably the only way to convince her of his love, but the game of fate ensured that the door remained closed.

His agonizing past had ruined the institution forever for him. The disdain for the relationship only increased when his brother-in-law turned his back onto his sister, the action which led to the decision of thrusting the responsibility of siring an heir onto him.

How would he ever bind himself in a bond which he despised?

That thought brought upon another realization. When he could not compromise his beliefs and dislikes for her, what right did he have to expect that she, the one who made him fall for her through her strong will, would compromise upon hers?

"Your mother is not aware, is she?" he asked, finally, taking a deep breath as he tried to steer the conversation in a different direction before the churning developing in the pit of his abdomen turned him into a puppet.

"She is not. She would have never agreed. She would trade her soul for my happiness, if it ever comes down to that," said Jyotsna, the glisten of her eyes and the slight upward curve of her lips revealing the bond they shared.

"Can you think of any way you can meet her or speak to her? Video call is not sufficient, I suppose, to make up for months of separation which was eventful to say the least," remarked Arjun, eying her intently.

"It is not. I want to hug her and become a daughter once again before being a mother," she expressed, looking into her lap as the memories of her mother's love flooded her mind.

"I guess, you can meet her. I mean, you don't look visibly pregnant. You are still as petite as you were when we first met. Didn't think that someone so petite would carry so much of weight in her words," confessed Arjun with a rare grin etching itself on his face.

"Probably the first time someone has proved you wrong, Mr. Ranawat. I look forward to doing it once again!" teased Jyotsna, letting a chuckle out.

He did not know whether her smile allured him or being the reason of her laughter enchanted him, but he just knew that he wanted the time to still so that he could cherish the ethereal sight for the longest possible time, so that the vision etched into his very soul.

"Oh, you have no idea how many times you have achieved that feat, Ms. Khanna!"

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Khanna House, "Jyotsna!" yelled Sushma, excitement lacing her voice as she took her only daughter into her warm embrace, forgetting about their audience.

Varun was informed by Arjun regarding their visit but nothing could prepare him to meet the eye of the sister he had wronged that she had lost herself into psychosis. He was aware that the smile on her face could turn into frown and the happiness in her eyes could turn into tears any moment since his sister was standing on the edge of two extremes, belonging to none.

"How long has it been since I have seen you! You don't even call on time! You just don't care about your old mother, always working hard!" complained Sushma, as she caressed her daughter's cheeks and straightened her already straightened hair, her affectionate pampering causing Jyotsna to tear up.

"Will you talk everything by making her stand at the doorstep itself, Maa? She has company as well," reminded Varun, placing his palm over Sushma's shoulder, releasing that Jyotsna was turning emotional and she could lose herself any moment.

"Oh.." muttered Sushma, taking a step back as she eyed the man accompanying her daughter, dressed impeccably in a three-piece suit which seemed to be more expensive than all their outfits combined but his eyes told a different story as compared to his ensemble which screamed arrogance and pride.

"Arjun Ranawat.." prompted Jyotsna, looking at Arjun with a smile as she took it upon herself to introduce him.

"Your boss?" asked Sushma, pulling the end of her saree over her opposite shoulder, wondering if she was dressed appropriately to meet Jyotsna's boss.

Little did anyone realize that Jyotsna was at a loss of words to define their relationship. She experienced the same turmoil and questions which he must have experienced when she questioned him about the relationship they shared.

To name the bond, which had seen them pull them through several obstacles and after sharing more than she could ever imagine, she needed to cut free of several restrictions placed upon her by herself and the ones around her but her state of mind certainly did not allow for her to do the same. 

"Yes, Maa. The owner of AR Designs," answered Varun, realizing the conflict which his sister was experiencing. He just prayed that his sister begins to reciprocate the amour which Arjun had grown for her over the months, fulfilling her dream of finding a Prince Charming and for his own sanity.

"Namaste, Aunty," greeted Arjun with a slight upward curve, wondering what had gotten her tongue and could not help but fan his hope that she was pondering over their relationship and trying to find the suitable name.