Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Gearing Up

(Sorry had no time for proof reading so ignore the blunders I have made in typing)

The next day proved to be a long day for Arnav Singh Raizada. Since the morning, he had a strange feeling of restlessness spreading out from his heart to his body. His mind was distracted and his concentration was wayward.

May be this was because Khushi was returning back to Shantivan today. Or was it because Arnav was jealous of Abhay Singh?

Yeah, Jealousy it was. Arnav Singh Raizada had voluntarily agreed to accept that he was jealous of that man. The way he had seen Khushi behaving around him, not to forget hugging him, Arnav's heart had ached.

He was moved, emotionally. He scene had unnerved and set loose some thoughts in him.

Arnav had wondered that why couldn't he be the one to make her smile that way? Why couldn't she be so happy and free living around him? Why can't he make her hug him with the same infectious smile on her face?

Is he that incapable? Or is he that undeserving?

The thoughts had once again left him poignant. Once again he was having second thoughts about himself, herself, their relation.

Will he really be able to give her the happiness, the life she deserves?

He has hurt her enough to last a lifetime, but would he be able to compensate that hurt with his love?

Love.

Yes he loved her. He knew that for sure. He has always loved her, she is his life.

The last thought helped a smile reach his eyes, a glint in those caramel coloured orbs.

The clouds of uncertainty finally started to scatter away, allowing determination to invade his heart.

So what if things between him and his Khushi weren't perfect; he can make them perfect.

Abhay Singh can go to hell with his over friendliness. Arnav Singh Raizada has his own methods and charms for his wife.

"I am coming, Khushi" He said to himself, jumping out of the chair and grabbing his coat.

~~***~~

"I am glad you're back, Khushiji" Anjali said with one of her genuine smiles.

"To the house and in the room. I am sure Chote would be too happy to see you. He has been very upset lately" continued Anjali, her voice getting sadder and on its own accord Khushi's hand stopped unpacking the clothes that she was putting in Arnav's wardrobe.

"Khushiji, I don't know what is wrong between you two but whatever it is, it's eating up Chote. Even yesterday night I saw him working in the poolside, all night. I seriously doubt if he's even sleeping these days. So, I request you two to sort it out, whatever it is, solve it before it's too late. I have been so busy with Shyamji that I didn't give much time to Chote. And every time I try to approach him, it's like he doesn't want to talk. Maybe he's hiding something from me. He always does it. Everytime he has something to hide, he would stop talking me thinking I might see through his eyes, his face. And that's what exactly he's been doing these days. He's avoiding me and what more? He didn't even visit Shyamji for once. He should have. Even you should have" Anjali continued with her monologue, unaware that Khushi's face had lost all the colour and turned white at the mention of Shyam.

But even though Anjali failed to notice it, Arnav did notice who had been standing in the doorway all this while listening to Anjali's words.

"Chote?" words tumbled out of Anjali's mouth as she turned to leave and found a still Arnav standing in the doorway, his expressions rough and set hard.

The word broke Khushi's trance and she too looked up in the doorway.

Fists clenched, eyes red and jaw stiff, that was what she noticed in the first glance.

It was evident that he had heard every word of the conversation that had taken place just now.

"Why are you standing there, Chote? Come inside" Anjali said, unable to understand the reason behind such aggravated expression on his face.

Listening to the words, Arnav slowly walked in the room, his mind once again distracted with the mention of Shyam.

This vile man was still breathing under the same roof as Khushi and his Di.

He has to be taken care of.

He needs to be led to his fate, which Arnav had already decided.

"Di, you're here?" He asked, loosening his tie and placing the laptop bag on the recliner, not meeting the gaze of Anjali.

He won't until he makes that man suffer the hell he deserves, Arnav had decided.

"Yeah, I was helping Khushiji with her unpacking but she didn't let me. Nobody lets me do an any work" Anjali complained with a pout.

"They are right in doing that, Di. You should take rest. Why don't you go to your room and take some rest?" He asked, undoing the buttons of his waist-coat now.

"Chote..."

"Di, please go and take rest. We'll talk later and I am quite tired too" he cut Anjali off with an air of finality and Khushi watched a disappointed Anjali leaving the room.

She felt bad for her, for the suffering she knew lay ahead for Anjali. She wished she could help but she knew she can't, not as of now.

As she blocked the thoughts her mind, and made a move to exit out of the room she heard Arnav's throaty voice call her name.

"Khushi"

Hearing the voice, her legs stopped as if they had their own mind to respond to his words.

She turned to find him looking at her, his eyes trying to convey millions of emotions and she felt scared if she could handle them all.

"Can I hug you?" he asked, in almost a whisper and her head nodded on her own.

It had always been this way. Her body had always had its own way of responding action to his words.

And today, the nod came without any thought. She knew he needed it and more than him, she needed it.

There had been too much of hyperactivity in their lives.

So a hug was what they both needed.

She saw him move towards her with a small smile shining in his eyes and she knew her acceptance of his request had caused it.

Reaching her, he threw his arms over her shoulders and hugged her close to his heart, his eyes closing as he inhaled her scent which refreshed him wholly, his mind and soul.

For Khushi, she allowed her arms to snake around his waist and rest her head under his chin, against his chest.

The sound of the hammering of his heart against his ribs was so soothing to her ears.

As she breathed in his smell she wondered how could he always smell this intoxicating.

She had a doubt if it was his smell or his hands which made her feel that way, his hands which were pressing her close to himself with each passing second.

She could feel her soft chest crushed'against his muscular one, leaving no space for air between the upper half of their bodies.

It was bliss, to hold him this close and to be held this close to him.

It was like coming home after a long time.

"Thank you, Khushi" she heard the words being delivered next to her ears, his hands caressing the hair which rested on her back.

After a few minutes of bliss, she sensed him pulling back from the hug and she reluctantly let her hands unwrap from his waist, and stepped back.

"I am happy that you're back" He said the words with a satisfied smile.

The hug had indeed helped him.

"I am happy too" she said.

"You want something? Coffee?" She asked as he stood looking at her.

"No, I don't want. I'll just change" He said and left for the bathroom.

~~***~~

If Arnav had started to devise strategies to overthrow Shyam from the house, Shyam was indeed smarter one here.

He already had his plan ready. He learnt of the latest development in the house that Khushi had once again moved back to Arnav's room and decided the time for action had come.

There was no point in waiting as he could already see bad things coming his way.

Arnav wasn't going to leave him unattended and he was very aware of the fact.

If only things went the way he was planning, he would have his way with Khushi.

The infamous malicious smile rose to his lips as he decided to execute his plans tonight itself.

Life was once again going to bustle up in Shantivan.

~~***~~

Arnav stepped out of the bathroom to find the room empty.

As he walked up to the recliner and took out the laptop to work upon, the loud ringtone in the room disturbed him.

He looked around to find Khushi's cell phone lying on the bed.

Deciding he shouldn't receive it, he let it ring.

As the phone continued ringing for a quite a time, Arnav finally decided to receive it.

"Jalebi Express, guess who is calling you?" came an excited voice of Abhay and Arnav inhaled a deep breath before speaking up.

"I..."

"Save the pleasantries for later. I have a rocking news for you" Abhay cut in even before Arnav could speak up and continued in the same excited tone.

"Would you believe who I met today? Naina.Yes yes before you ask the question, the same Naina who I was supposed to kiss but your scrubby cheeks was all I got. We met in a shopping mall and god Khushi. She's so hot. Those sexy legs of hers. Mmm I was all flat and then she..."

"Mr. Abhay Singh!" Arnav cut in with gritting teeth. He found it unbelievable how cheap this person was in explaining such things to Khushi. He actually doubted if Khushi could be friends with someone like him.

"What's wrong with your voice, Jalebi Express? It's sounding like Gabbar from Shole" Abhay said, sounding concerned which further fuelled the anger of Arnav.

Whosoever was this Gabbar dude, he didn't sound like a good person by the way Abhay made it sound.

"It's Arnav Singh Raizada, husband of Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada" He replied with suppressed anger, chewing upon each word before saying.

"Sh*t..! I..Sorry, Arnav. I thought it was Khushi" Abhay's reply came, though he didn't sound really apologetic.

"I see that your thoughts are mostly wrong, Mr. Singh. And I would prefer you call me Mr. Raizada. You're my wife's friend, not mine, even though I doubt the former proposition as well" Arnav replied, his last words a soft murmur.

"Well, Mr. Raizada, can you please handover the phone to Khushi?" Abhay asked, sounding offended.

"She's not in the room. I'll let her know you called" Arnav said.

"No that's fine. I am actually standing right in front of your house. Wanted to surprise Khushi but now since she's isn't around, I am coming in" Abhay said and disconnected the call.

"Nuisance" Arnav mumbled before keeping the phone away and going back to his laptop.

~~***~~

Khushi was standing alone in the kitchen, preparing coffee for Arnav.

Even though he hadn't asked for it she knew he would need it once he comes out of the bathroom and starts working again.

So, here she was.

As she poured the hot liquid in a mug, she noticed Shyam sauntering in the kitchen, a sinister smile plastered on his face.

"Khushiji, how are you?" He asked, studying the changing expressions on her face.

Without answering, Khushi quietly lifted the trey in her hands and tried to move out but Shyam blocked her way.

"Itni bhi kya jalti hai, Khushiji?" (What is the hurry, Khushiji), He said, eyeing her lecherously.

"Get out of my way" Khushi hissed out, her voice ferocious all of a sudden.

"Not so easily, Khushiji. There's still a lot of things pending between us. I was wondering if you could provide me some free hours out of your busy life so that we can get those things done" He said, holding the tray and thus touching her hands, making her skin recoil.

"Come on, Khushiji, don't give me that expression. It hurts, you know. After all I am an admirer of your beauty" Shyam continued as Khushi tried to free her hands, trying to avoid the hot coffee from spilling on her hands.

"Wait, lemme help you, Khushiji." Shyam said as he took a step closer to her and held both her wrists in his hands, caressing them with his thumb.

"LEAVE HER" voice cold as ice and gloomy as death, resonated, as Arnav stepped in the kitchen, his eyes shooting pure anger which made Shyam instantly pull his hands away from Khuhi and turn back to face Arnav, who looked ready to kill.

______________________________________________

A/N: The first week of my college had been hectic, leavingme no time to write anything at all. So, that's the reason of this delayed update. Of this and my others works too. I am trying my best to update the stories as early as I can but it's becoming tough to keep up. So what I have decided is that I would be updating all my four stories ONCE a week which means four updates in a week.

Thank you

-Kiran

Pearl_Oyster2014-01-07 10:52:44