"Khushi, Di ne tumse kuch kaha?" Arnavji asked, "Did she say something to you?"
Khushi dropped the belan and whirled around.
Ok, there was perceptive and there was mind reading. And Arnavji was slowly crossing over to the creepy side.
"Dhyaan se" he mumbled, bending to retrieve it.
"Ab..a..kis baare me?" Khushi asked, when he straightened up and continued to look at her expectantly.
"Ghar jaane ke baare me"
"G..g..ghar jaane ke baare me" Khushi stammered, "Nahi toh"
With a faint smile, he narrowed his eyes at her.
Khushi picked up the plate of rotis and headed for the dining table.
"Aap pichle janam me manishi the kya?"
She didn't realize she had spoken aloud until following her, he asked,
"Money-what?"
"Nahi, kuch nahi" she said, serving him dinner as he sat down.
"So, Di ne kuch nahi kaha?" he asked, again.
"Nahi toh" Khushi said, averting her gaze.
Even though she had politely turned down Di's offer to team up in convincing Arnvaji about going back home, Khushi couldn't stop thinking about her words.
"Khushiji, agar aap Chotey se baat karengi toh voh zaroor maan jaenge, voh aapko na nahi keh paenge"
And nor could she get Di's hopeful expression out of her mind.
On the night that Di had first suggested it, the words had been on her lips as Arnavji and she prepared for bed. But looking into his brown eyes as he kissed her goodnight, Khushi knew she couldn't deceive him. And no matter which way she looked at it or tried to rationalize it, there was no denying that it would be a deception.
And even though his eyes held promises, to give her anything she asked, the trust in them had been her undoing. She simply couldn't go along with Di's idea.
But she'd also made up her mind not to mention it to him. A white lie of omission was preferable to another flare up between Di and him, especially now that both were honestly trying to make amends.
Looking up at him now, she saw a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Relax Khushi" he said, with a crooked smile. "Di ne mujhe bataya ki tum dono ke beech kya baaten hui"
Khushi froze, letting his words sink in.
"Kya?" she said, her temper flaring. "Toh aap humari pareeksha le rahe the?"
"Jab tum uncomfortable hoti ho, toh kaafi cute lagthi ho" he said, still smirking.
She stood up abruptly.
"Aapko hasi aa rahi hai? Aapko yeh sab mazaak lagtha hai?" she asked, unsure of why she was so angry. "Ek toh hum aapke aur Di ke jazbaaton ke beech atak ke pareshaan hue jaa rahe hai aur aap has rahe hai"
"Khushi" he said, reaching for her hand, his smile disappearing.
"Chodiye hume" Khushi said, freeing her hand forcefully. "Aap samajthe kya hai apne aap ko, police waale hain jo humari jasoosi kar rahe hai. Aapko andaaza bhi hai'"
"Shh" he said, standing up and placing a finger on her lips.
Before she could open her mouth to argue, he spoke.
"Khushi maine sirf isliye poocha kyunki Di ne bataya ki tumne refuse kar diya and I wanted to say thanks for that"
Khushi blinked.
"Thanks Khushi" he said, placing a soft kiss on her lips.
He returned to the table and feeling simultaneously guilty and foolish, Khushi followed suit.
For some reason, Khushi had thought she would be immune to the mood swings and hormone fluctuations she read about in the pregnancy books Arnavji had bought her. Or rather, it's relevance had been shadowed by the more distressing details.
But with each passing day, she learnt that she was neither exempt from it and nor was it any less distressing than the rest.
Some days she was filled with so much angst that she felt like throwing his bluetooth head set out of the balcony and smashing his laptop on the ground when the clackety-clack of his typing got on her nerves. And on others, she couldn't get enough of him.
She couldn't stop thinking about him when he was at work and wanted him around all day while she cooked, cleaned and read her books.
It was almost frightening how it took only a few seconds to transition from raging at him to wanting him so desperately that she felt her soul aching with need.
She burst into tears when he teased her about it and then wept even more as she realized just how supportive he was being.
For someone with a temper as short as his, it was miraculous how he was maneuvering her mercurial moods.
"Di aaj office aayi thi" he said, "Kal ghar me Akash aur Payal ki first wedding anniversary ki party hai and she wants us to go"
Khushi nodded.
Di had already told her and Khushi couldn't help having mixed feelings about it.
While she was happy for Jiji and Jijaji, it was also the first anniversary of Arnavji and her first wedding.
Wedding or whatever it was that happened at the temple that night.
One of the darkest moments in both their lives, how was she supposed to feel about it knowing that it had led to all the beautiful things in her life now?
Khushi snuck a glance at Arnavji, wondering what was running in his mind.
"Tum jaana chahthi ho?" he asked.
Lost in thoughts of that night- the temple bells, the gathering storm and the fire burning behind Arnavji's eyes, Khushi shook her head absently.
"Khushi" he said, touching her wrist. "Do you want to go?"
She looked at him and nodded slowly.
He didn't look annoyed, only thoughtful as he took a sip of water.
"Lekin agar aap jaana chahe toh" she added.
"Theek hai" he said, "Let's go"
"Kya?" Khushi said, not sure if she heard right.
With a small smile he said, "I said, theek hai. Kal party me chalte hain. I'm sure Akash aur Payal ko bhi acha lagega and Di'"
He didn't complete his sentence because Khushi stood up and threw herself in his arms.
"Bahut bahut bahut" she said, taking a deep breath. "Bahut shukriya Arnavji"
When she withdrew, he was still smiling.
"Hum abhi Di ko phone karthe hai" she said, excitedly.
She almost turned away but stopped in her tracks when she noticed the slight downward tilt of his lips as he returned to his food.
She had trouble biting back a small laugh as she swatted his arm away and sat on his lap.
His leaned back to accommodate her as his eyes brightened hopefully.
He thought she was cute? He had no idea just how adorable he was. Of course, he probably wouldn't appreciate those sentiments. But deep down her Laad Governor was like a little boy, waiting to be rewarded for a good deed.
She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Thanks Arnav" she said, imitating his voice from before.
This gesture deserved not one but two kisses, she decided as she kissed the shy smile slowly spreading on his face.
"Khushi, hum sirf party me jaenge" he said, when they broke apart. "I don't want to give wrong ideas'"
"Shh" she said, placing a finger on his lips. "Hum jaanthe hain"
The way he was looking at her, Khushi was sure one of two things was imminent. Either dinner would be abandoned in haste or she would end up in tears again.
Before either could happen, she got to her feet.
"Hum Di ko phone karke aate hai" she said, hurrying away as he turned to his plate with a forbearing shake of his head.
*****************************************************************************************************************
Khushi took her husband's hand and stepped out of the car.
The Raizada Mansion was lit up like a Christmas tree and there were guests milling about in small groups all over the lawn.
Arnavji nodded at the security guards at the front gates and greeted Mohanji when he hurried forward to park their car.
"Arnavji" Khushi said, holding him back.
"Kya hua?" he asked. "Tum theek toh ho?"
A couple of guests approached them, slowing down to chat. Khushi tried to smile politely but Arnavji glowered at them until they left.
"Hum theek hai Arnavji" she said, letting his rudeness slide. "Aur aap?"
It took a lot to unsettle Arnav Singh Raizada. And whether it was the day, their first visit home in four months or both, she sensed that he was on edge. He kept checking his watch and answering in monosyllables.
As much as she was looking forward to the evening, she felt fidgety herself and certainly didn't want to go ahead if he was this uncomfortable.
"I'm fine Khushi" he said, turning away.
"Arnavji, ek minute" she said, taking his arm again. "Hum bas itna kehna chahthe hai ki agar aap ab bhi vaapis jaana chahe toh hum shikayath nahi karenge"
Looking into her eyes, he sqeezed her hand reassuringly.
"Thanks but main theek hoon" he said, "Ab chale? Sab wait kar rahe honge"
And he was right.
Just as they stepped into the foyer, Di came hurrying forward with an aarthi thaali.
"Chotey, tum chup raho" she said, before Arnavji could open his mouth. "Aap dono shaadi ke baad pehli baar ghar aaye hai, itna toh kar hi sakthe hai"
Arnavji swallowed his protest with a contorted expression and Khushi had to suppress a giggle.
Naniji came up beside Di and they performed aarthi and applied teeka on both their foreheads. Arnavji and she bent to take Naniji's blessings.
"Humara toh bahut man tha ki gruhapravesh ki saari rasm kare" Di said, and once again interrupted before Arnavji could protest. "Lekin fir yaad aaya ki voh sab toh aap pehle hi kar chuke"
Arnavji gave in to a smile but his grip on her fingers tightened almost imperceptibly as they stepped inside.
The house was decorated in Di's typical grandiose and elaborate style and there was something disturbingly familiar about it all.
Before either of them could remark upon how everything looked just like the night of their sangeeth, they were surrounded by family and friends.
*****************************************************************************************************************
"Arnavji?" Khushi called, stepping into the dark room cautiously.
Shortly before dinner was announced, Khushi had needed to use the rest room.
When she excused herself, Di had informed her that there were guests in Naniji's room and asked Arnavji to accompany her upstairs.
She sensed his trepidation rising as he led her to their old room and if pregnancy hadn't heightened her sense of urgency, she was sure she would have felt likewise.
The lights weren't working in the room but fortunately the washroom lights turned on. Arnavji had said he'd wait for her outside.
"I'm here Khushi" he said now, taking her hand.
He led her back to the door but when he tried to open it, it didn't budge.
Letting go of her hand, he tried again with more force.
"What the'" he muttered, when it rattled but refused to give way.
Before Khushi could voice her concern, they heard Di's voice on the other side.
"Chotey?"
"Di, pata nahi door ko kya ho gaya" Arnavji said, "I'm not able to open it"
"Voh isliye kyunki humne darvaaza bahar se bandh kar diya hai"
Khushi's jaw dropped open and she sensed Arnavji's astonishment even though all she could discern was his silhouette.
"Tumne ghar vaapis aane se manaa kar diya na isliye humne aap dono ko kamre me bandh kar diya hai" Di said.
They heard loud titters in the background.
"Yeh kya mazaak hai Di?" Arnavji said, clearly not amused.
"Mazaak hi toh hai Chotey" Naniji said, "Hum kitni baar aapko samjhaye rahe ki iss ghar ke chotey hasi mazaak nahi karath hai toh badon ko hi karika padi"
"Nani, this is not funny" Arnavji said, banging his hand against the door. "Di, please open the door"
"Sorry Chotey, ab yeh darvaaza kal subah hi khulega" Di said.
Khushi blinked, trying to make sense of what was happening. She had rightly suspected that Di would go ahead with her plan of convincing Arnavji but she had never imagined it would involve locking them up in their room.
Arnavji looked from her to the door and said in a low voice,
"Di, nothing is going to change in one night"
"Hum jaanthe hai Chotey" Di said, refusing to let his tone affect the enthusiasm in hers. "Lekin iss ek raat me Khushiji aur tumhe iss ghar aur hum sabse judi yaadon ko taaza karne ka mauka milega aur agar..agar kal subah tum jaane chaho toh hum tumhe nahi rokenge"
"Nannav mere bhai" Nanheji said, "Couples toh das ya bees saal ke baad second honeymoon manaathe hai, tumhe toh ek saal me hi chance mil raha hai, aur humne kitni zehmat se room and poolside ka decoration kiya hai"
"Zehmat nahi NK bhai, mehnat se" Di said.
"NK, Di..stop this" Arnavji started saying but Di interrupted.
"Aur haan, humne aapka dinner table pe rakh diya hai, Khushiji ki davaai night stand pe hai aur doctor ka emergency contact bhi. So goodnight and sweet dreams"
"Di, you've got to be kidding me..Di?" Arnavji called, but things had gone quiet on the other side.
"I don't believe this" he said, angrily.
Khushi, who was still struck mute by the dream like situation, almost jumped when she heard a loud, rumbling sound coming from her stomach.
Hadn't Di mentioned something about dinner?
She turned to the table and finding a match-box, lit some candles.
Her eyes went wide at the fine spread in front of her and temporarily suspending reality, she settled with a plate and helped herself to some food.
"Hume bhook lag rahi hai" she said, when she sensed Arnavji glaring at her.
Muttering something incomprehensible under his breath, he began to pace the room.
"Humari baat maaniye aur aap bhi thoda kha lijiye" she said, "Gussa karne ke liye bhi aapko taakat ki zaroorat padegi"
Even before she finished her sentence, she realized she was echoing her own words.
It must have struck a note with him too because he stopped and stared at her.
"Kabhi kabhi hume lagtha hai hum apni zindagi me sab kuch do-do baar kar rahe hai, hain na?" she said, chuckling. "Roka rasm, mehendi, shaadi aur ab...Delhi me Bali dwitiya"
"Paagal ho gayi ho tum?" he asked, "And waise bhi, tum aise aaram se baitke kaise kha sakthi ho?"
"Arey haan, hum toh bhool hi gaye the ki gusse me yahan vahan ghoomne se darvaaza apne aap khul jaega" she said, making a face at him. "Hain, na?"
"Just forget it" he said, turning away.
He walked to the poolside and stood staring at the water with his arms crossed.
Khushi debated going after him but decided that just then, food was a worthier cause.
She kept sneaking glances at him while she ate but he stood his ground resolutely.
Somewhat satiated, she couldn't take the silent tension anymore.
She stood up and walked to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Arnavji, aapko ho kya gaya hai?" she asked.
He didn't reply but didn't shrug her hand away either.
She knew she was treading dangerous waters but it was way past time to put an end to this discord.
"Aap kab tak aise gussa rahenge?" she asked, "Kya hum sach me kabhi vaapis ghar nahi aaenge?"
"Khushi, hum iss baare me already baat kar chuke hai" he said, not looking at her but struggling to keep his voice even.
"Ji nahin" she said, forcing him to face her. "Aapne apni baat kehdi aur humari puri baat sunne se pehle chale gaye"
She ignored the flash of anger in his eyes, sending up silent prayers to Devi Maiya for courage.
"Aaj aap kahin nahi ja sakthe" she said, realizing it as she said the words. "Hum apni baat kehke rahenge fir chahe aapko kitna bhi gussa aaye"
"Khushi" he said, in a threatening tone.
"Hum nahi darrenge" she said, as much to herself as to him. "Hum jaanthe hai ki aap sabse kitna pyaar karthe hai aur Naniji aur Di ne ek baar nahi, baar-baar humse maafi maangli toh aap kyun'"
"Kyunki main voh sab nahi bhool saktha ok" he said, grabbing her arms fiercely.
She had seen it coming but it didn't lessen the impact and she squirmed, narrowing her eyes at him.
"I can't forget ki unhone tumhare baare me kya kaha tha, jab tum behosh ho gayi toh no one stepped forward" he said, breathing fire. "And tum yeh kaise bhool gayi ke sab chahthe the ki main tumhe chod doon. How can you forget all that, kaise maaf kar diya tumne sabko?"
"Hum kuch nahi bhoole, lekin aap shayad bhool gaye ki humne aapko bhi maaf kar diya tha"
The words left her before she could think them through and even though they were true, she would have chosen to put them more delicately had she paused to consider.
The wind bellowed in her ears as stunned, he let her go.
"How dare you Khushi?" he whispered, struggling to catch a breath.
When she tried to reach forward, he flinched and retreated as if she had physically injured him.
Tears streaming down her own cheeks, she ploughed on.
"Dadiji ne aisa kuch nahi kaha jo aapne pehle nahi kaha tha" she said, her voice shaking. "Humare aukad ke baare me, humare charitra ke baare me. Aur baaki sabne aisa kuch nahi kiya jo aapne pehle nahi kiya"
His breath coming out in short gasps, he closed his eyes but Khushi saw his heart breaking behind them just as surely as she felt the pain of her own.
He turned away, a lone tear escaping his lids.
"Lekin voh sab ek bahut badi galath faimi thi" she said, softly. "Hum jaanthe hai ki humari baaton se aapko kitni takleef ho rahi hai kyunki aaj bhi hume aapki aankhon me afsos dikhayi deta hai. Shayad aap sabko isliye maaf nahi kar pa rahe kyunki aapne abhi tak khud ko maaf nahi kiya"
"Khushi, please leave me alone" he said, stepping away. "Please, chali jao yahan se"
"Nahi, hum aapko akela nahi chod sakthe" she said, putting her arms around him from behind. "Kyunki humare dil me iss sab ko leke koi gussa, nafrat ya kadvahat nahi hai, na aapke liye aur na baaki sab ke liye"
She felt his chest heaving beneath her palms.
"Khushi, please"
"Hum aapko nahi chod sakthe kyunki humne aapse vaada kiya hai" she said, resting her forehead against his back. "Aur isliye kyunki hum aapse bahut pyaar karthe hain"
When he didn't reply after several seconds, Khushi let go and took a deep breath. Har raat ke baad hota hai savera, she reminded herself, the night is always darkest before dawn.
"Arnav, humne kaha hum aapse pyaar karthe hai, aap koi javaab nahi denge?"
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