Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Strategies

The new morning, unlike all the previous mornings, was brighter for Arnav. The cause of this brightness was the softness cuddled in his arms as he woke up to this new day.

Opening his eyes, he felt the familiar softness nestled close to his chest. On looking down, he found Khushi's head against his chest while her hand rested on his abdomen.

Softness intermixed with a small smile reached his eyes as he thought of the previous night.

One of the best nights of his life so far.

He recalled her lying beside him with a respectable distance, and it was something that had made him realise the long way he still had to cover, and he was willing to do so with his patience and love.

She was taking steps towards him and so was he.

This morning was evidence of it.

Bending down to her face, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead, taking care so as not to wake her up, and with the same care, untangling her arms from his body, he got down the bed to head for a bath.

As Khushi felt his weight off the bed, she opened her eyes and smiled at his affectionate gesture.

~~***~~

Sunday morning at Raizada mansion was not as merrier as always but a silent affair. Anjali was in her room tending her husband, and the family had resorted to whispering and undertones. Even the all-time loud Maami was softly complaining about her increasing body weight and that she was running out of her slim and trim figure while Maamaji was listening to her with non-existent attention yet kept nodding at each sentence.

Khushi too was silently nibbling at her food while most of her attention was focused upon Arnav who was having his breakfast with extra urgency, and there was something about his face that was bothering her.

His eyes held something indomitable in them, and it was disturbing her, and she tried to contemplate the reason behind it, getting nowhere.

As his gaze met with hers, he realised she had been observing him for quite some time, and he gently smiled at her, assuring that all was fine.

~~***~~

The family was stepping out of Anjali's room, and Shyam's eyes were still fixed upon Khushi, which was well-read by Arnav, who was seething in anger.

The family was informed by Shyam that the staircase was dark and someone had spilt some oil on it, which had caused the accident. Apparently, Shyam had noticed the oil at the very last minute and in his attempt to save Anjali, he had slipped down himself. After hearing about this from Shyam, the family was once again touched by his love and care for his wife.

Though Maamiji had raised the question 'where did the oil come from', the rest of the family was so satisfied with Anjali being safe that they decided to overlook the matter.

As the family emptied from the room one by one, Arnav stood still in the room, his gaze burning down at Shyam.

Khushi, who was in the tracks of leaving the room, noticed the stiffness in Arnav's form and stopped.

"Arnavji?" She softly called at him, and withoutacknowledging a glance in her direction, Arnav asked her to leave and that he will follow.

Though unconvinced by his reply, Khushi decided it was best for her to leave the room as she could feel Shyam's gaze resting on her every few seconds.

The man really had a nerve.

"Di, I need to talk to you" said Arnav in a purposeful tone once Khushi had left the room and Anjali was still busy running a hand through Shyam's hair, trying to soothe away his pain.

"Not now, Chote" came Anjali's succinct reply.

"Now is the time, Di. It's urgent and it cannot wait any longer" Arnav replied stiffly and noticed a flicker in Shyam's eyes, who gave a meaningful glance to Anjali.

"Raani Sahiba, I think you should hear what Saale Sahab has got to say. He sounds exigent" Shyam's soppy voice came out feebly, adding temperature to Arnav's heated glare.

"Whatever it is, Chote, it can wait. Don't you see he's in pain? He needs me" came Anjali's reply in the same stiff tone and it made Arnav wonder what could be the reason behind it.

Anjali never talked to him in such a tone.

Was it possible that..?

"Please Chote..! It's a request. Leave us alone for sometime" Anjali continued and Arnav felt a jab in his heart while Shyam secretly smirked.

"Di.. I am not leaving anywhere.!! I need to talk to you right now" Arnav pressed on, his voice unrelenting.

"You're disturbing him, Chote. Doctor has asked him to rest"

"I don't care, Di. We have to talk" Arnav replied, his voice gaining level and Anjali gave him a hard stare before getting down the bed and walking up to him.

"You don't care, Chote?" she asked, her eyes blazing the kind of fire Arnav mostly had in his eyes, and if Arnav thought his Di wasn't capable of it, he was proven wrong.

"Di..I didn't mean it that way. All I am saying is.."

"Arnavji" Khushi's voice cut in Arnav's as she walked back in the room, her face bearing an undecipherable expression.

"Khushi, what are you doing here? Didn't I ask you to leave already?" asked Arnav, his voice turbulent.

"Please, Arnavji, come with me. There is something I need to show you" Khushi replied, taking his palm in hers and sending him the warmth of her hand.

The contact made him feel better at once and he sighed deeply.

"Di, he'll talk to you later" Khushi addressed to Anjali who nodded strictly and turned her attention back to Shyam, who was sceptically glancing at Khushi.

"Let's go, Arnavji" Khushi softly let out the words to Arnav and he followed her after giving a quick and worried glance in Anjali's direction.

Things were slipping out of his hand, Arnav thought.

~~***~~

Arnavji, this is not the time to deal with this" Khushi started peacefully as they together walked in their room and Arnav turned to her, sharply holding her by the arms and staring in her eyes.

"Are you serious, Khushi? He's trying to distance Di from me. He tried to harm Di. He mistreated you, he bloody tried to molest you...and you say this is not the time?" asked Arnav, his voice loud yet laced with deep regret.

He wasn't letting out his frustration on her but was voicing out his fears and insecurities to her, and she knew him well enough to understand it.

She understood that he was tensed, agitated, and troubled with the latest developments and instead of replying to his question with words, Khushi bridged the small distance and hugged his stiffened form, letting him relax in her arms.

"Everything will be fine, Arnavji. We'll fight against him. We'll overcome this situation together. I trust you" She poured out the words to him like a balm, which helped erase the stress lines from his forehead.

"I want the man out of this house, Khushi. He's dangerous for Di. I can't take risks" mumbled Arnav, his voice determined.

"We'll do it together, Arnavji. It will take time for us to make Di see his true face but I am sure you'll manage it. Di ko kuch nahi hoga" replied Khushi and Arnav nodded.

Khushi was right. It wasn't going to be easy for them to break through the walls Shyam had created around Anjali.

To Anjali, her husband meant the world, and unmasking Shyam before her was like crushing that world into million pieces.

Things indeed needed to be handled in a better way and Arnav Singh Raizada was on it.

~~***~~

Khushi was in the kitchen busy preparing her private Everest of Jalebis while the heat in the kitchen was getting to her in the form of sweat beads that hung on her forehead like dew on grass blades.

"What did I do now?" asked Arnav as he stepped inside the kitchen to find her feeding herself with her infamous stress buster.

"When did I say you did anything?" shot back Khushi, her voice laden with sarcasm, and Arnav found it amusing.

"Yeah, you never said but I just thought I did something to instigate.."

"Please go and change, Arnavji, I'll get your coffee in the room" cut in Khushi, turning off the gas knob and helping herself with another Jalebi.

"Hmm. Where's Di?" asked Arnav, the question making seriousness settle over Khushi's countenance.

"She's out with Shyamji, has taken him to the doctor for the final check-up" replied Khushi as she heated the water for coffee.

"It means.."

"I know, Arnavji. It's time for us to start our move. We have already waited a month" cut in Khushi, her voice fixed upon the boiling water as she recalled the plan Arnav had discussed with her to expose the true face of Shyam before the family and Anjali.

Yes, a month had passed since the day Arnav and Khushi had stood in their room embracing each other.

Their plan needed a running-on-his-legs Shyam and by now the creepy man was once again back to his smiling self.

"Just a few more days Shyam Manohar Jha and you'll be regretting the day you decided to step in this house" Arnav resolved as together he and Khushi headed to their room.

Placing the coffee mug on the table, Khushi sat on the recliner and munched upon her Jalebis as she stealthily watched her husband undressing...err..changing before her. She corrected with a shy blush.

The month had witnessed a considerable development in their relation and it was normal for Khushi to snuggle to her husband while sleeping.

Though she enjoyed the warmth emanating from his body, the morning brought her more joy when he would silently kiss her forehead thinking she was asleep while she would be very awake and waiting to feel his lips on her forehead.

The brief kiss would never fail to send butterflies in her stomach and her mind would go back to the kiss they had shared in the poolside after their romantic date.

"Umm..Khushi" Arnav's hesitant voice reached Khushi, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked at Arnav with a questioning gaze as he stood before her with his unbuttoned shirt hanging loose over his shoulders, giving her a perfect view of his flat stomach and chiselled abs.

"What?" she asked, trying not to stare at the inviting sight and fixed her gaze on his face.

"Wo..next to you lips.." signalled Arnav to the small piece of Jalebi which had stuck to the corner of her mouth.

"Here?" asked Khushi, rubbing off on the wrong side.

"No, the other side" said Arnav, holding the urge to reach her and brush off the piece in better ways, maybe using his lips.

"Is it still there?" asked Khushi, rubbing toff he other side and Arnav smiled at her expressions.

"A little upwards" He instructed but she didn't seem to get the place.

"Wait" He said, walking to her in quick steps. He held her by the shoulders, turned her face towards the full length mirror, her back facing him.

"Oh" exclaimed Khushi as she noticed the small piece still sticking there and before she could take her fingers there, she felt his deft fingers already reaching up.

She fluttered her eyes dreamily as Arnav grazed his thumb to the corner of her mouth and brushed off the piece.

"Wait..The syrup trace is still there. it feels sticky" Arnav's voice got huskier as he caressed the side of her lip with his thumb.

Khushi's eyes stilled at the reflection in the mirror which presented quite a romantic scene and her breaths shallowed as he turned her face towards him, his eyes mirroring the desire of her heaving heart.

"Khushi...main" his voice came as a soft whisper as he looked in her eyes.

"Hum jaante hai" Khushi replied her voice equally huskier and hearing her indirect affirmation, Arnav pulled Khushi closer. Then, he lowered his mouth to the corner of her lips. Khushi clutched his shoulder with both of her hands as his tongue swept and licked off the sticky syrup.

Khushi's surprised moan sounded as Arnav's lips expertly shifted and planted themself on her lips. It was a sweet kiss, literally. Khushi tried her best to keep her eyes open but her eyes fluttered close and her knees felt weak as Arnav's tongue traced her lips softly but urgently.

As if reading her state, Arnav's hands snaked around her waist, supporting her frame against his body as his lips continued assaulting Khushi's senses.

The kiss turned into a hungry one as Arnav channeled his month long deprivation and desire.

"Khushi..." Arnav whispered Khushi's name in a warning as her hands slid down from his shoulders to explore his bare chest.

Her soft touch was a torture.

"Chote, I and..." Anjali's voice trailed off in sudden surprise as she walked in on wrong time with the wrong person.

Shyam, who by now, had a rather smiling face, colour drained from his face as he too witnessed the intimate kiss between his Saale Sahab and Khushiji.

Anjali's shocked and embarrassed voice put an end to the increasing passion between Arnav Khushi and they instantly pulled apart with redness suffusing over Khushi's cheeks and she avoided eye contact with Anjali.

"You should have locked the door, Chote" Anjali exclaimed in a reprimanding voice while Arnav's eyes were fixed upon Shyam's contorting face.

"I am sorry, Di but I thought youwould knock" replied Arnav while Khushi excused herself out of the room as she supposedly heard Naniji calling for her.

"Not a good enough excuse, Chote" replied Anjali, her voice getting soft and a teasing smile reaching up to her face while Shyam was literally burning.

"You wanted to talk about something, Di?" asked Arnav, changing the topic and Anjali nodded.

"We were at the doctor's clinic. He's done a full check up of your Jeejaji and he said everything is fine" said Anjali, pointing at Shyam who still stood rooted to his spot, his mind elsewhere.

"Arey aap waha kyo khade hai? Andar aaiye na" (Why are you standing there? Please come in" Anjali addressed Shyam who tried to smile and walked in.

"The doctor said his injuries have healed but he still needs to maintain the strict diet" Anjali reported to a reluctant looking Arnav.

"And he was also talking about my pregnancy. He said it's already been over five months and since the sixth month is in row I shoul..."

Arnav's mind refused to register any further words as he heard 'five months'.

Five months meant that the marriage contract he had forced Khushi into was on the verge of expiring.

Two more weeks, to be exact, as Arnav did a quick calculation in his head. Dread and chill ran through Arnav's heart at the realization.

Though their relation had taken a steady turn , he knew Khushi was a girl who believed in social institutions, marriage being an important part of it.

So, was she going to leave him after these two weeks?

No, she won't.

She trusts you now. He told himself but was that trust enough to stop her from leaving him?

Was his love enough for her to overlook that they weren't traditionally wed?

Arnav couldn't say anything for sure. He was once again on the verge of losing Khushi.

Arnav rnasacked his mind to find any kind of positive word or affirmation from Khushi in the last one month. Yes, she had forgiven him and they interacted with each other without any hesitancy but Khushi had not made any promises about not leaving him.

"Chote, are you even listening?" Anjali's irritated voice snapped him out of his thoughts and he looked at his Di who was clearly annoyed with his lack of attention.

"Yes, Di?" He asked, trying to pull hiis thoughts together

"I said Shyamji and I want to arrange a puja in the house" Anjali repeated herself and Arnav gave a sceptical look at Shyam himself looked visibly lost in his own thoughts.

"Ok, Di. When is the Puja?" asked Arnav.

"Day after tomorrow" answered Anjali.

"Hmm. Okay Di. I'll ask Khushi to help you with the arrangements. I don't want you to stress yourself with lot of work. You should be resting instead of paying visits to hospitals on your own" Arnav said and Anjali smiled at his concern.

"Sure, Chote. I'll leave now" Said Anjali and placing a hand on Arnav's cheek, caressed it softly and he smiled too.

"Take care, Di" He whispered and Anjali nodded.

"Chalein?" nudged Anjali to Shyam and he followed her out of the room while a thoughtful Arnav was left behind in the room.

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