the-pursuit-only-epilogue

THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 1
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 2
PROLOGUE
She sat there on the edge of Taaravar.
“Ei Khushi! Tithaliya…KhaanathoKhalieoBitiyaaa…” Buaji’s voice seemed
distant.
(Khushi! Please have food!)
Infact all human interactions seemed very remote to her, ever since she
left Shanthivan. A part of her she left there may be, as she found herself
odd and absolutely changed in ways she did not know herself.
She felt no hunger!
Thirst? Well, she didn’t know it either!
There was nothing she wanted to do nor did she feel like talking to
anyone…even Amma!
Amma and Babuji left for a two-day pilgrimage to Ajmer, and she had
strayed on to the poolside which reminded of him!
Arnav Singh Raizada! A man who barged into her life, took over and
completely turned it upside down…
He married her in haste and declared that he never loved her in leisure…
He loathed her then and pitied her later!
He said he was a part of her kingdom yet remained as elusive as a
stranger…
He was her strength and now, she realized in these four odd weeks her
biggest weakness!
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 3
He called it an arrangement but in reality he was the only living immediate
family she had!
Khushi smiled even in pain…
She thought…
Life is an enigma…
For those who understand it-it is an intermission between two births!
For those who try to, it’s an illusion!
For those who fight it … it’s an eluding loop;
For those who question it, it’s a riddle…
She looked at her reflection in the mid afternoon sun. A yellow
colouredlehenga with a simple short blouse in pink and a mixed dupatta
that she just draped on her shoulders off the cuff, as none would dare to
come inside the Laad Governor’s Kothi!
Her eyes looked at her own reflection and she looked so different! A
lifetime of difference! She now was much wiser and absolutely out of all
kinds of entanglements and illusions! But what did her eyes search for?
… that one face that would keep appearing before them all the time!
…A pair of brown liquid eyes that would beckon her to drown in their
fathomless depths.
… A firmly set jaw and a rigid posture that said, “back off”!
… A voice that was pure steel at all times and sweet nectar when he
chose…
…A man who made her heart to beat but broke the same into a million
pieces…
…A ruthless deal master who held her soul to ransom
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 4
An only oasis in the desert of her life …turned into a wonderful MIRAGE!
The blazing hot sun made her eyes smart but she sat there looking at the
passage along with the gathering thunderclouds, as if they would open
and he would walk through that…
It was all over now! He would have returned from the US a week back! She
knew after he came back he must have come to know she left inspite of
his warning her, he would never ever forgive her! He would definitely
avenge her! And she would take his anger and wrath! But he would be
safe and his people would never have her dark shadow on their lives!
It had been almost five days since his return, and he never even called
her! She switched off her mobile, but he could have called Sheesh Mahal.
He would have known by now that Anjali Di’s accident was not a mishap,
but was a carefully planned warning!
Would he understand her yearning to have a family alive rather than living
with it? It seemed so dumb to her own ears but well, sometimes truth was
as difficult to comprehend.
A tear welled in her eye refused to fall as she tried telling it that Those
were the eyes of a Jethwa Queen! Dare you fall!
How long she sat there she did not know but the shadows were now long
and She threatened Buaji that she would simply go away somewhere
without a trace…when she repeatedly pestered her for food and
medicines! Finally Buaji gave up and went away!
A slight breeze that started from the west end now assumed strength and
her dupatta bellowed along with her long hair that she left free without a
care.
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 5
She turned as she heard the passage door open and close, and heard the
footsteps! They sounded familiar even from afar. As they neared her she
stared at the sight that her eyes feasted on.
Arnav Singh Raizada stood before her in a sky blue shirt and jeans, his
hair blown in all directions by the raging storm winds, and his eyes as if on
cue looked directly at Taaravar, and were riveted on hers, as they rested
on her and narrowed.
Trickery of the shadows and her mind! She cursed her imagination.
But was there any harm in just reaching the Mirage knowing that it is a
Mirage? Her mind parried…
The breeze now developed into a strong wind and the dead leaves from
the trees atop the cliff on the other side, flew all over the open space and
Khushi got up and started walking towards the MIRAGE!
As her steps gained pace and she began to run, oblivious of the dupatta
being dragged away from her on the ground stuck to her bangle, she saw
him stand with an unfathomable expression. His eyes beckoned her to
reach him. She ran and closed the distance between her and her
thoughts, and threw her arms round her heart’s yearning, holding it tight
with both her hands lest it might vanish yet again like numerous other
times.
As the rain came pouring down with a thunder clap reverberating through
the open cove of the cliff, she put her hands round her dream, her very
soul.
Her hair plastered to her face by the pouring rain rendered unruly by the
wind, her breath hitched, she stood on her toes hugging Arnav Singh
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 6
Raizada tightly, as if her life depended on it!
The Dupatta bellowing in the strong wind, flapping now wet, the mirrors
slightly flickering catching the lightning in the evening sky, the song the
wind sang amidst the torrents of rain and Arnav stood testimony to her
weak voice that said, “ArnavjiAapaagaye! Hum
nahirehsakhtheyaapkebina!”
(Arnavji? Have you come to me? I can’t stay without you!)
For the mirage stood completing the story…
…But for those who live it…
Its either pure hell or sweet heaven!
For some it’s an open book;
…Yet for many its a MIRAGE!
The choice rests with us…
If we give in, we end up ever thirsty…
If we choose, we get what’s destined…
If we fight, we emerge or get submerged
If we collide, we get crushed,
If we embrace it, we get drowned and overwhelmed…
But if none of the above options for some suit…
Then,
For those who chose to chase their destiny its a big long and tough
PURSUIT
wildest of dreams?
But here I go with my dreams on my eyelashes, living a lifetime…
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 7
DISCLAIMER
All the work on these novels is a work of fiction.
These are novels that are penned by the author Goldenhaze. All the names,
characters, locales, businesses & professions, events and incidents are the
product of the author's imagination.
The religious or cultural rituals or any situations or any scientific or sociological,
legal and super natural assumptions made are to be understood as concocted as
part of the fiction and not otherwise.
Some facts may have been used for authenticity, but it may be understood that
these are used for purely fictional purposes and not for any other reason,
whatsoever.
ABOUT GOLDENHAZE
Goldenhaze is the pen name of the author AnuRam who is a doctorate in
Business management and writes fiction for hobby. Her first novel The Mirage,
was set in the back drop of Rajasthan and highlighted the theme of women
empowerment, woven into romance and intrigue. The sequel of the Miirage, The
Pursuit was again a romantic thriller which was much appreciated. Goldenhaze
has also written several novels including The Masquerade, An Evening with U,
and The WhisperValley and Vaishali.
Known for the variety in her story settings, and the usage of local flavors &
languages Goldenhaze is also known for her blog goldenhazefiction.blogspot.in
which has many ongoing works of her like A Dialogue in the Dark, The
Inexplicable Attraction and the Contrivance.
Currently Goldenhaze is working on the launch of a new stream of intense
romance, under the name Destiny series, with Deepthimaan- a character she
created in Mirage as the lead, who also happens to be the pivotal character in
her much acclaimed novel Destiny U&ME.
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 8
Chapter Three
Khushi tried to turn away to hide her embarrassment, but her back felt
cold and it dawned on to her that her choli was open at the back and the
duvet was twisted between both of them. She tried to find her hands and
in doing so, she realised her left hand was tucked beneath his right and
struggled to pull it back.
"Hi, Khushi! How are you feeling now?" Arnav tried again, and she frowned
and tried pulling her hand childishly without acknowledging him.
"Still under the illusion that you can manage everything?" He taunted,
looking at her.
In reply, she just tried pulling her arm out. Arnav tightened his right arm
around her, and also his left encircling her to her annoyance.
"Chodiye"(Let go off me) Khushi protested weakly.
"Nai!" (Nope!) He growled very softly.
"Kya?"(What?) Khushi looked up and her nose collided with his forehead
and she winced in pain.
"Keep looking down your nose at everyone, and that’s what is going to
happen!" Arnav quipped!
Khushi gave him a cold stare and struggled with her hand, but Arnav just
stayed-put amused.
"Aap has rahey hain? Yahaan hum Phas gaye hain!"
(You are laughing at me? When I am stuck here?) Khushi pouted.
"Nice!" He said, and added to her chagrin, “It rhymes!"
She tried kicking with her leg, but nothing moved coz across her legs was
Arnav's leg.
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 9
His chest was heaving with suppressed laughter! She got infuriated.
"Humey uthna hain Hum Phass gayein hai! Chodiye!"
(I need to get up and I am stuck here! Let go off me!)
She said gruff with anger.
"My bhi tho phasaa hua hun! Dekho!"
(I too am stuck! Can't you see?)
He said meaning more than what he said, looking innocently at both of
them making Khushi to take a peek at the over-all sight. The bed was a
mess and she felt disgusted with herself.
"Tho kuch keejiye!"
(Then do something!) She yelled at him!
"My kyun karun? Tum jo ho!... har kaam ko apney aap karne vaali Shakthi
shali mahila!"
(Why should I? You are there! The all-powerful woman, who can
accomplish anything on her own!) Arnav said in chaste Hindi!
Khushi was peeved. She just struggled to get up but realized that till Arnav
tried, she won't be able to move an inch, as her lehenga was stuck under
his weight.
"Uthiyena!" (Oh! Get up!)
She exclaimed exasperatedly.
"Nai!" (No!) Arnav said looking at her.
"Nai ka kya matlab! Humey uthna hain!" Khushi went on.
(What do you mean by no? I need to get up).
"Accha, tho kaun roka hai?" (Ok! Who stopped you?) He asked.
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 10
Khushi did not know how to react. She felt helpless and more than
anything heartbroken! She was stuck with him! And most importantly, he
was stuck with her! He called her his responsibility.
He bent slightly forward.
"Aap humey jaaney deejiye!" (Let me go…) She feigned irritation.
"Per aap kisike rokney sey thodina Rukthi hain Rani Saa!!!... aap tho humey
chod key chali gayeen!"
(You wouldn't stay back, and when should you listen to anyone stopping
you?)
He said, and his calling her Rani Saa brought tears to Khushi's eyes.
"Aap sab uljhaakey jo rakhey hain tho humey jaana hi hoga!"
(You [your entry has messed up] have entangled everything and I have to
leave.) She said, and it meant more, they both knew.
"Idea!" ASR said.
"What?" Khushi asked.
"Yeah! Since anyway you are in my arms, you can tell me what happened,
as I know you are not telling me something." he said.
Khushi saw red. How dared he!
"Kyun? aapki zimmedari hain hum bus! Tho usmey bolney sunneka kahan
kuch rehgaya hain?"
(I am just your responsibility. Is it not? Then where is the place for a
dialogue?) She poked him.
"Careful, Khushi… I am in a very good mood to do something that we
might regret later." he said, warning her with a glint in his eye.
"Aranavji aap humko uthney dengey ya nahi!"
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 11
(Will you let me go or not?) Khushi demanded.
"Nahi" (No!) He said and pulled her closer.
Khushi could not contain her frustration and yelled, "Uthiye" (GET UP!).
"...Please bolo!" (Say Please first!) He said, with an intonation to his voice
that a teacher used for a kindergarten kid.
"Kyun? Hum please kyun bolein?" (Why? Why should I say please?)
Khushi was mad at him.
"Tho math bolo!" (Then don't!) He shifted, and Khushi realized that till then
he had not put his full weight on to her! But then, he did, and she was
unable to even breathe properly.
She wriggled and nothing happened!
He turned and looked at her! "This is better," he said staring into the
mirror.
"Kya? aap kaisey...?"
(What? How could you?)
…and then realized he was watching her bare back. Of course the
MIRRORS!
"Aapki himmath kaisey huyi?"
(How dare you?)
She said struggling to free her hands.
"Himmath ki kya bath hai Khushi? Yahaan tho taaqath ki zaroorath hain!"
(It's not about valour! It’s about energy!)
He teased her smiling smugly.
"Kya! Aap aisey kaisey...?"(What? How could you?)
Words failed her!
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 12
"Tumharey purkhoney jo Sheesh Mahal banwayee hain, sab unki galthi hai!
Myne kya kiya?"
(It's all the fault of your ancestors who made a castle embedded with
mirrors! What have I done?)
He asked innocently trying to keep a straight face.
Khushi pulled up all her strength, and pushed him away, but he was
literally lying on her lehenga, and as she pulled fiercely, it tore making a
noise that made her stop wriggling. She looked up in anger her eyes
spitting fire.
Arnav was in for a treat as the Jethwa jewels sparkled like rubies-red!
Khushi was struggling to control her temper. She never gave up! She was
weak, but never bowed down! Taming her would be one heck of a job. But
Arnav Singh Raizada always liked to make the impossible easy to achieve.
"Ye kya bachpana hai!"
(What’s this childish prank!)
She said squirming.
Arnav raised his eyebrow, and she just tried to move away and realized
her hair was stuck in his shirt button. She pulled hard and it hurt.
"Ouch!" She writhed in pain and thought she would at least move her
head away from his shoulder. Her dupatta was stuck under him! And
added to that, she could now hear laughter rumbling through him.
“Pathaa nahi kya sikhaayagaya gaya hain inhey bachpan mein jo itney dheet
baney hain,” she muttered under her breath...
(Wonder what they coached him in, while young that he turned out to be
so stubborn!)
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 13
Khushi just stared at him failing in all attempts to free herself, and her
head now ached in earnest. She caught her head and Arnav immediately
caught her head with his right hand and asked her, "Sir dukh raha hain?"
(Is your head hurting?)
Khushi could ease her left hand out and she tried to move farther, and
when he tried to stop her she said, "Nai!"(No!)
The simple word infuriated Arnav.
"What the #$%@!" He swore.
"Arnavji hum thaq gayein hain! Paseena chootraha hai! Aap samajhthey kyun
nahi! Humey akela chod deejiye"
(I am tired! I’m sweating from fever, why don't you understand? Just leave
me alone!)
She said feigning exasperation, but in reality she was tired of the cat and
mouse game. It felt very good with him, and his proximity was disturbing
her and she did not have the physical and mental energy to fight her own
weakening urge to wrap him up in her arms.
He looked haggard and absolutely adorable with sleep-ruffled hair.
"Akeley kaisey chodein?"
(How can I leave you alone?)
He asked moving forward.
"Bathaa tho rahein hain hum chidey hue hain... "
(I am telling you that I am cross!)
She shirked him off.
He chuckled and said, "Tho chidey raho. Myne kuch kaha?"
(Do be cross with me! Did I say anything?)
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 14
And saying that, he tried to kiss her.
Khushi was now absolutely clueless about what she had to do to get out
of that situation.
She tried pushing him away saying, "Paseena hai Arnavji," (It’s sweaty,)
"Arnavji ponchney tho deejiye..."
(Let me wipe myself clean…)
…she feigned irritation.
"Hum ponchdethey hain..." (Let me…) he closed the distance, and rubbed
his chin on hers on to her left cheek first, and then propped up a little and
then her right cheek. He then went down, touching his lips to her throat
just below her left ear.
"Ab theek hain?" (All right now?)
He mumbled with his lips still glued to her neck. Khushi did not know
what to do, as his lips were sending shivers down her spine when they
moved.
He hauled her with both his hands and turned her on the her other side,
and carefully placed her half on him so that her right side was ok and said,
"My shirt is wet with your sweat already. So, stop fussing!"
Khushi was at loss for words! Jiji never told her that when he wanted,
Arnav singh Raizada could be very patient!
She said, “Humey uthna hai,” and then when he gave her a -'you know
what you have to do’ look said with reluctance, "ple...a...se!"
"Hmmm! Good! Ok!" He moved a little and said, "You may!"
Khushi tried to get up and was jerked back to him, as when he turned her
over her Mangalsutra got caught on to his shirt button. She tried to free it,
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 15
but her right arm was still very weak. He sighed and helped her and when
she sat up finally, she remembered her choli and saying, “Hey Devi Mayya,”
grabbed her dupatta, and wore it round her like a shawl, while Arnav
chuckled away lazily.
She moved to get down and her lehenga was stuck beneath him. She
pulled and it tore a little more making her to yell at him, “Uthiye!” (Get up!)
He just got up muttering,
"Patha nai kya kya sikhaatey hain Jethwaa raja raniyonko... galey padgaye tho
chudaana ithna mushkil hothaa hain!" He muttered.
(Wonder what they teach the Jethwa royalty. So difficult to get rid of them
once you are entangled in their web!)
That hurt! Khushi closed her eyes and turned back and said loudly, "You
were responsible for the mess."
Arnav looked at himself and said, "Am I wearing a lehenga? ...dupatta?
Mangalsutra? Tell me... I don’t even have long hair!"
"By the way, you have a sexy back!" He drooled over.
Khushi made an 'o' with her mouth, outraged at what he said.
She went round the bed and stood before him her hands wrapped tight in
the dupatta, "... aap humaarey...iska matlab hai... Arnavji aap..."
(That means Arnavji you…)
"I am not lying!" Arnav said knowing fully well that it would infuriate her
further.
Khushi stamped on the ground and she realized her lehenga was tied
loose and it was about to come undone, while at the same time she heard
Buaji say, "NandKishore tum log uthke chai nastha nahi karogey!"
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THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 16
(Won't you people get up for breakfast?)
Khushi looked stricken and stole a glance at Arnav, and then her lehenga.
Arnav did not get it in the beginning, but he did not have to think much to
understand what was happening. As he moved forward Buaji entered,
and Khushi dived on to him, and he circled her waist with his hands as if
he was hugging her, but holding her lehenga in place actually instead.
Buaji came smiling... and froze! Looked at Khushi, and then at Arnav and
then Khushi and said, "Lagtha hai humari madad ki kaunu zaroorath nahi
babua..."
(It appears as if my assistance would not be required).
Goldenhaze Fiction

THE PURSIT ONLY EPILOGUE 17
Goldenhaze Fiction