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Taking a hot shower, I dry my hair before the dressing mirror when the reflection of the gold chain shines on my face. It’s too beautiful to be ignored. So, despite Aarav’s warning, I quickly slide it around my neck and hook it. The delicate pendant rests at the center of my chest. I've worn gold previously, about five years ago, according to wedding photos of one of my friends that Sakshi showed me after I lost my memory. I was wearing too much gold then, though I don’t recall wearing it ever again in the last two years. A businesswoman like me who has no time for personal life rarely got opportunities like this when I could pamper myself with jewelry and stuff.
I finish drying my hair, wear a black dress hugging my body and decide to order some room service when my neck hurts. I scratch and then continue checking the menu when the itching continues. What is wrong with my body again? I scratch my neck, but the itching doesn't stop. It intensifies with every minute. What the hell? I turn to the mirror and that’s when I notice small bruises around my neck.
“You are seriously allergic to gold. Don’t wear it. You get rashes all over your body and they don’t go away that easily. I know it.”
Aarav’s words echo in my ears. I am allergic to gold? No. Jhanvi is allergic to gold. That’s how Aarav knows. Then… Why am I getting these rashes? I flop on the bed, as these questions scramble in my head. Aarav had cautioned me not to eat shrimp the day before, and now this. He was right both times. What is that supposed to mean? I recollect eating shrimp in the last few months, and yes, I did get itching on my body every time I did, but I never had it checked. I ignored. It could still be a coincidence that two people can have the same allergy but so much of a coincidence that almost all my allergies match with Jhanvi’s is impossible.
But how can I believe so easily that I am not the woman whose identity I am living for the past two years? I need more proof. I take out the gold chain and put it away from my body and with shivering fingers, I dial Sakshi hoping she has some answers to my queries.
“Sakshi, hi.. I.. I wanted to ask you if I am allergic to gold?” I inquire as soon as she responds.
“Allergic to gold? Khushi? What happened? Is everything alright?”
“Yea. Yes. All is good. I just wanted to know about this allergy thing. You know me from college so have I ever told you that I am allergic to gold or that you found my body bruised when I wear gold?”
“No,” Sakshi answers almost immediately. “You loved gold and you always wore it during events like our friend’s wedding. Remember I showed you the photos of that wedding so you know who our friends are?”
I swallow recalling those pictures again.
“You never got any bruises or rashes by gold, Khushi. But what’s the matter? Why are you asking me this now? Is everything okay?”
Nothing is okay. Not after this.I tell her not to worry and disconnect the line. Tears gush in my eyes. My head is messed up. Could there be a possibility that I am Jhanvi Raichand? No!! I hide my face in between my palms to stop these thoughts from clouding my head. I was with Rudra ever since I came to consciousness in the hospital after my surgery. I am Khushi Thakur. I am not Jhanvi Raichand.
I rise to my feet and march out of my room. A drink is all I need at the moment to relax myself.
Three shots of vodka and I am already tipsy. For the past 30 minutes, I have been here at the hotel bar. It’s a cozy place and there’s hardly anyone around, giving me and my feelings the privacy I need.
“Make another shot, Chris,” I say to the bartender, who stares at me and then behind me as if someone is telling him not to.
“Sorry, Ma’am. But we are closing the bar now.”
“One more shot. Just one,” I plead and Chris once again looks behind me. Who the hell he needs permission from to serve me a drink?
I turn my head and body with great difficulty to see who is standing behind.Aarav Raichand.That’s him. Oh, God. Not again. In a white shirt with top three buttons undone and grey jeans, Aarav is any woman’s fantasy with that sexy spiky stubble.He could be my husband if I am Jhanvi Raichand.That thought flames my body but I don’t give in. Turning back to Chris, I almost bark this time.
“Chris, one shot and I am out.”
“Don’t serve her more, Chris. She is done here.”
My hands grow clammy at Aarav’s command. Within a second Chris is gone and Aarav sits on the highchair next to mine.
“You shouldn’t drink this much.”
“Why?” I scowl. “Only because Jhanvi didn’t?”
I expect him to be angry but instead, he grins and tucks a hair strand away from my cheek. I don’t even attempt to shrug him off because I am too drowsy and shaky at the moment.
“No. Because whenever you overdrink, we have ended up doing great things. And since you don’t have your memories anymore, I don’t want you to repent tomorrow morning.”
The nerve of this man! My jaw hangs open as he takes the glass away from my fingers and keeps it on the table.
“Let me drop you to your room. Come on.”
I don’t let him touch me beyond that and push his arm away. But before I can argue his broody expression forces me to hold his stare.
He could be my husband.My silly subconscious reminds me and a strange thrill runs down my body again when his gaze averts on my neck and he sees the bruises of my gold allergy. Oh god! How did I forget to hide these bruises? Now Aarav Raichand has one more reason to affirm I am his wife.
My heartbeats collide with a crash as his thumb grazes on one of these bruises and a faint grunt leaves his lips. He doesn't like what he sees so obviously he is mad at me for going against his orders and wearing that gold chain. But why would I listen to him when I don’t believe him and his actions at all? But wait. Does that change from now on? Haven’t these shrimps and gold allergies given me enough evidence that Aarav might have a point? That Imay behis wife?
