Chapter 7 - Where Waves Collide

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In a blink of an eye, something happens by chance - when you least expect it - sets you on a course that you never planned into a future you never imagined. - A Walk to Remember

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Khushi slowly moved out of her distant thoughts, her mind whirring through the many possibilities of her current conclusion as the car seemed to slow down. She took in the pitch black surroundings, not really surprised at how quickly the night seemed to take over from the day. She could see the distant silhouettes of trees, the measured street lamps, she turned around in her seat to watch him, his expression seemingly not have changed since they had begun the journey, not really uttering a word to her the whole time. And she suddenly began to have doubts, this man was cold, calculative, shrivel, he didn't seem human what could that mean? Her eyes followed his line of vision to out of the windscreen, the bright head beams, cutting through what seemed like a beaten down forrest path, she squinted slightly, unable to make out much detail.

"We'll have to make a stop here for tonight, the journey back to Delhi will take us way too long and it wouldn't be safe for us to drive any later than this," at first he spoke with his eyes focused on the road. He didn't have the courage to face her, or if he thought about it properly, he wasn't able to face himself. He had a job to do and right now he was risking a lot but with her it was as if this risking came naturally to him. He felt this obligation to protect her, this slight gnawing inside that no harm should ever come to her and it surprised him. It didn't make any logical sense. He turned towards her then to be momentarily taken aback by those mesmerising eyes of hers gazing intently back at him and he felt himself stumble all over again. He had to look away again to allow himself to speak and she felt her eyes following him, as if she was clinging onto his each action, gulping he looked back towards her. "I mean it'll be safe and it's completely up to you. If you don't feel comfortable," he saw the features of her face scrunch up then as she pondered this new idea," if you don't feel comfortable we can just stop for a bit and head off. But it's obviously..."

"No that's fine. We can stay the night, I'm sure with you attempting to take me back to Delhi safely that I can trust you," she mumbled attempting to form a small smile, her eyes slightly twinkling in the dim light. He turned away from her again, nodding to himself absentmindedly, slightly unnerved by her trusting nature. It certainly wouldn't be a good trait to have when the likes of Shyam were after her, which he still failed to understand. Shyam Manohar Jha was a lot of things but women didn't seem to be his thing; the only woman he was close to was Angelica. He brought the car to a slow halt in front of the small cottage and scrunched his eyes shut for a second, his hands tight on the steering wheel. Thoughts of her always put him on edge. Angelica? Yes that's exactly who she was, she was no longer the person he had known, she was different, everyone was, even himself. Things had changed a long time ago, they'd both lost too many things it was better off not to dwell in the past. He repressed his urge to punch the steering wheel, not wanting to scare off Khushi even more and slowly opening his eyes turned around to look at her only to be left completely dazzled. She was staring back at him, her large dove-like eyes wide.

"Are you okay?" She suddenly questioned, her voice soft and he felt himself waver for a minute.

"Erm, yeh, I'm good," he mumbled then looked away and clicked the car door open.

****

"What do you mean they lost her? Aakash! I told you to find her and bring her to me! I do not want any of the stories about what went on in the transition. I just want her here!" Shyam screamed, his nostrils flaring, his expression murderous as he paced around the room whilst Aakash stood stock still.

"But sir, they don't know where they've gone," Aakash added in finally, his voice timid when compared to Shyam's.

Shyam stopped his pacing suddenly, his eyes widening. "They? Who else is with her?" He questioned, his voice harsh, demanding. Aakash gulped, not sure how to tell him.

"Sir she was seen running away with another man, we don't know who it was," he quickly replied, making sure not to make eye contact.

"ANOTHER MAN?!" Shyam exclaimed suddenly, taking such quick steps towards Aakash that he had to quickly retreat, the fear that Shyam may lash out and do something making the hairs on his body stand.

"Sir well.. uh..." He struggled, looking in all directions but at Shyam.

"Uh what? Who was he and what is she doing with him?" Shyam demanded, his eyes vicious as he observed Aakash as if he was some sort of prey.

"Sir... We... We don't know," he finally uttered out.

****

"Arnav where are you?" Aman questioned, his voice urgent.

"I'm at the point3 hide out, why? Have you found anything new?" He questioned, quickly sensing he urgency in Aman's voice.

"Is she there?" Aman questioned then, his fingers trembling over the mouse as he zoomed in and out of the pixel-corrected picture.

Arnav looked both ways, making sure that she was still not back then walked out through the glass doors, "no she's in the bathroom. Why?" He questioned, his brows scrunching together, sensing that there was something terribly wrong.

Aman gulped, his breaths coming out faster, his heart beat a little too rapid. "Okay you need to listen carefully to what I have to say and right now none of this is making any sense to me so hopefully it makes sense to you."

"Ok," Arnav replied whilst nodding, his eyes focused into the distance.

"Right," Aman took a deep breath in, bracing himself and fearing the impact it would have on Arnav at the same time. "I managed to take a screen shot of the picture that Shyam has been looking at for so many days and somehow pixel correct it and..."

"And?" Arnav questioned, his impatience getting the better of him, "what is it Aman? And what?"

"And Arnav god this is so messed up,"

Arnav made a face not knowing what the hell was going on and quite frankly wishing that Aman would hurry up and tell him what the hell was up.

"Arnav this Khushi she... She looks exactly like Shyam's wife!"

"WHAT?!" He exclaimed, "Shyam was married?"

"Yes Arnav he was married to this girl named Diya, Diya Nayak. He married her about three years ago and she died a month after their marriage in circumstances that doesn't seem clear and..."

"Hold on hold on!" Arnav stopped him, his brows furrowing together, unlike Aman trying to make clear sense of the situation. "What's her surname again?"

"Nayak, it's Diya Nayak," Aman repeated, not quite sure why Arnav was stuck on the girl's surname.

Arnav however was deep in thought. Where had he heard that name before. Nayak? He knew that surname. "And she died?" He asked then, his mind still trying to locate the surname.

"Yes and that's the weird part. She was in an accident and her body was found in ashes. It just seems that this is too much of a coincidence. Khushi and this Diya, can't they just be the same person? And that's why he wants her?" Aman questioned, zooming in once again into her picture and comparing it to that of Khushis. There were differences but there were more similarities.

"But he always mentioned Khushi as resembling this person, not being her," Arnav added, his voice slightly quieter, his mind sorting everything out.

"Yes and that's what doesn't make sense, if this idea is occurring to us then why not Shyam?"Aman agreed.

"Wait do you have any of Khushi's records?" He questioned suddenly, something clicking at the back of his mind. "And you mentioned there was something weird about them?"

"Yes well there doesn't seem to be a birth certificate in her name, which could well be a consequence of her being adopted. So nothing in the name of Khushi Kumari Gupta. And nothing for a Khushi with that date of birth either. And there doesn't seem to be any adoption records. Just nothing a brick wall!" He finished off, almost exhausted with the narration.

Arnav nodded to himself, attempting to put together the pieces of this puzzle. "But that just doesn't add up, if she was adopted she would have to have been younger than sixteen. She's now 23 which means if she had married Shyam she would've been 20 at the time and then it wouldn't add up," Arnav began, finally sorting through the mess, his mind processing through the information quickly.

"True," Aman agreed.

"And what's her name Payal?"

"Yes."

"Payal is her adoptive sister, who knows about Aakash and Shyam?" Arnav questioned, needing to make sure of that fact before he continued.

"Yeh that's right she appears to know everything, I've listened into their awful conversations," Aman replied, making another face on remembering their conversations.

"Then she would have known if Khushi had married Shyam and it just oh god Aman! This is so difficult to explain! I know what's in my mind makes sense but it's just putting it into words," Arnav struggled, annoyed with himself.

"Okay so what are you trying to say? That you don't think Khushi is Diya and therefore Shyam's dead wife?" Aman questioned, a complete look of confusion taking over his features but understanding Arnav's frustration at the same time.

"Yes I don't think she is. It just doesn't add up," he finished off, still trying to make sense of everything.

"But then how does it add up? It has to, Arnav you need to see this picture they look exactly the same," Aman tried, not at all convinced.

"And that's why we have to get to the bottom of this. No I'll find out. She'll tell me," he stated with confidence, that determination back in his eyes.

Aman breathed a sigh of relief, understanding fully well that Arnav would indeed handle it. "Alright get back to me on what you find," he answered then clicked the phone off.

****

Khushi watched from the corner of her eyes as he swiftly walked back into the room not sure what to expect next, her hands still on the towel that she had been wiping her hair with and her eyeballs almost jumped out of her eyes as the corner of his mouth turned up into a small smile. He grabbed a small white package then began walking towards her, that tiny smirk still on his face and she instinctively took a few steps back.

He stopped mid-step sensing her fear and quickly extended his arm with the white package towards her.  "This is all I could get, it's not much but I guess you're hungry and it'll do," he offered with a wider smile and she was sure she would faint.

He watched her for a few seconds, almost bemused, he'd taken her completely by surprise. "Hello? Khushi?" He tried, another smirk firmly planting itself on his face.

"Huh?" She finally managed to snap out of her shocked state, "oh yeah thanks," she attempted a smile as she took the package out of his hands. She sat down slowly on the couch she had been standing in front of and attempted to remove the package, her fingers trembling against the paper as she attempted to avoid his gaze which she could feel on her and almost jumped out of her skin as he took a seat next to her on the other couch.

"So are you okay now?" His voice was husky and gentle and she turned her head towards him, looking up at him through the corner of her eyes, her heart beating at a rate too fast for her to comprehend.

"Erm I'm fine, thanks," she mumbled, finally peeling the paper away to reveal the plastic container within.

"That's good," he smiled. "Listen I'm sorry about earlier today, if I sounded harsh, but you know I wasn't in a very good mood so..." He tried to explain, put her at ease, actually meaning his words but not understand why.

She watched him for a few seconds, noticing the genuineness in his eyes, "it's okay," she mumbled finally. "And I'm sorry for shouting at you so suddenly, maybe you weren't following me," she smiled lightly as he watched her and returned the smile. Her thoughts were conflicted, she wasn't sure of what was going on anymore, but she was glad of it. Glad of the relief of him finally talking to her and not feeling completely alone and trapped. "So have you eaten?" She asked him, her voice soft as she raised her eyes ever so slightly to look up at him, needing to continue the conversation that he had started out of the fear that he would shut himself off again.

"Yes I have, I had dinner whilst you were having a shower," he stated, his voice still quiet and soft. "So erm, can I ask if you know why these men are after her?" He questioned then, quietly watching as her features darkened, her fingers on the container stopped midways, her brows scrunched together. She looked up at him suddenly, at the turn in conversation. Not quite sure how to answer. She looked down then, her raw emotions coursing through her again, a certain numbness taking over her mind.

"I don't know," she mumbled, almost as if she was talking to herself.

He watched her for a while, observing the sudden change in her, the fear that seemed to rest within her, how her shoulders had slackened, how her fingers shook against the container. He looked away then, scrunching his eyes shut for the smallest of moments and let his hands clench into fists. One part of his mind was actually willing to take that as an answer. Why wasn't he just able to play nice with her, why where his opposing emotions getting in the way? Why did she seem to effect him on such levels? "Okay never mind," he quickly stated, causing her to look up at him once more. "I'm sure it'll all be okay," he reassured her creating the tiniest of grateful smiles on her face.

She put the first container to the side, not really feeling hungry anymore, the thought of vicious unknown men following her to Lucknow made the hairs on her body stand on edge. She could feel the fear of it crippling every muscle in her body and she suddenly felt weak, as if her body would give way and she would fall. She focused her eyes on the next container, her fingers still shaking on the white cover and slowly opened it and felt her worries subside almost instantly. This was her, this was how she was, from a very young age she had learned to cope with a lot in life and little things still succeeded in making her happy, in allowing her to forget her worries or pain just for a second. She let her fingers touch the sticky surface of the orange swirls, a small spark alighting in her soulful hazel eyes and her lips parted into the largest of smiles. "Jalebis!" She exclaimed, bringing one up to look at it more closely, the smile pasted onto her face.

His head snapped up towards her suddenly, breaking out of his thoughts, he watched her utterly confused, raising his eyebrow. He couldn't believe the sight in front of him, how her features had lightened so abruptly, more pieces in his mind together, his memories automatically making their way up to the surface.

...A little boy ran into the grand interior of the house, his feet hitting off of the floor rhythmically, his muddy shoe prints already creating havoc on the newly polished floor. 

"Chutki! Chutkiii!" He yelled, running into the middle of the large hall, his body soaking wet from being in the rain, his shirt clinging onto his body, his hair a drenched mess. He turned around suddenly, his face banging into someones body and he felt her arms go around him immediately breaking his fall. 

"Chotey? You here? What's wrong? I saw Chutki run in here a couple of minutes ago too, she seemed upset. Is everything okay?" The older woman enquired, crouching down so that she was nearer his height. 

He let his eyes wander around the hall again before he looked towards her, his hand still tight around the little brown paper package. "Did she not tell you aunty?" He asked her then, his voice holding that authority it always did. 

She smiled back at him gently, appreciating his matter-of-fact ways, "no beta, what happened?" She asked then, truly concerned for her daughter. 

"Well aunty a bunch of girls from school were making fun of the way she dresses. They were saying it wasn't fashionable you know with all the colours and that, which to be honest I agree with but anyway," he continued, the distaste for the other girls clear but also his disappointment at Chutkis fashion sense. "And then they began on how she didn't have a proper name because Chutki's not a proper name and she got very upset." She watched him intently as he quickly narrated the story to her, quietly admiring his gentle heart which seemed to be hidden underneath all of the armour which he had already built around himself. "So I tried to intervene," he continued, "I told them that they should mind their own business and that it just meant Chutki was unique unlike the rest of the little clones but that's when Chutki ran away," he finally stated, not dropping eye contact for a second. "I tried to catch her but then I stopped to get these," he brought out the little brown paper package then, "and I was wondering if I could just go give them to her?" He questioned as she smiled down at him. 

"Of course Chotey," she gently patted him on the back, fully knowing what he had brought for her daughter and watched him slowly run up the stairs. 

"Chutki!" He yelled again as he approached the entrance to her room then slowed his pace, his wet shoes squeaking against the floor. She lifted her head slowly, tears still streaking down her face, her eyes slightly swollen from the crying as he walked over and sat on her bed. "Seriously Chutki? How can you let such idiots bother you?" He questioned, annoyed at her for even letting them get to her. 

"Just leave me alone okay," she mumbled through her tears, burying her face back into her knees. 

"Jeez drama queen! Calm down!" He retorted then moved the brown paper bag in front of her, "anyways I brought you something," he tried as she continued to not look at him. 

"God Chutki just stop your drama and look at me already will you?" He exclaimed, angry now as she lifted her head up to see him once more.

"What is it?" She asked, frowning at him. 

"I brought you this," he extended the brown paper bag her way as her fingers gently went around it. She opened the package slowly, still sniffling every second or so, her tears now slowly subsiding but the instant she saw the orange round swirls her face irrupted into a large beaming smile. 

"Oh my ghosh!" She exclaimed, "jalebis!" 

He smiled back at her tenderly, she was so easy to please. He continued to watch her as she munched away at it, savouring the taste of the chasni, pleased with himself for once again driving her out of a bad mood. 

 "I'm just going to go into the living room and make a few calls, till then you can have your dinner then go to sleep," he reassured her with another smile, his eyes distant from the thoughts raging through his mind. "You can sleep on the bed, I'll take the couch," and with that he made to get up.

"No wait!" She stopped him, her arm outstretched. "I'll take the couch, you're already helping me so much," she offered.

"No no don't be silly, take the bed," he reassured her again then walked off.

****

When Arnav walked back in a few hours later she had made her way over to the bed and was deep in sleep. He crouched down for a few seconds, somewhat mesmerised and watched the soft features of her face, she seemed to smile even in her sleep. A few strands of hair had blown over face and he felt this unusual urge to brush them away. He looked away suddenly, what was wrong with him. And yet he couldn't escape her smiling face...

"Chutki! Chutki! Boy have I got news for you! Chutki!" The little boy screamed then halted in his tracks, his eyes falling on to the little girl that was fast asleep in bed. He wasn't one for waiting, so he ran towards her then came to another abrupt stop, too dazzled by the innocence that seemed to dispel from the face of his best friend. She appeared angelic, the soft contours of her face glistening in the illuminated shade of the moon, the mouth curved up into a smile even in her sleep.  

"Stop it Arnav! Stop it! You can't go back there!" He mumbled to himself quickly standing up and beginning to walk away.

"ARNAV! NO ARNAV! NOOOO!"

He halted in his tracks, his every muscle tensing, his eyes widening, for a second he thought he may not be able to move.

"Please! Please! He can't be. This can't happen!"

He turned around suddenly, taking large steps towards her as she seemed to whimper in her sleep, twisting and turning, her small hands clenched around the sheets.

He felt himself fall to his knees just then, his legs giving way, watching her contorting feature all the while. Everything slowly falling into place. Why he was so drawn to her, her eyes, her actions...

"Nayak," Aman's words, why they had been so familiar. Mahesh Nayak, Chutki's father, that had been Chuki's surname...