Chapter 6

Chapter 6

 

Anjali had taken khushi shopping as a means to get to know her better also for her to see AR's fashion collection. Khushi soon found that Anjali was really easy to get along with. She was kind, genuine and very light hearted. 

It wasn't just about getting to know her husbands sister  it was also about experiencing what it was to be Mrs Raizada. It was a luxurious affair to say the least and the Raizada business and collection was nothing less yet Anjali but soon enough Anjali happened to catch Aman on not just on the magazine cover surrounded by girls in lingerie but also in a poster as they shopped.  Yes in a poster within one of their boutiques Whilst Anjali pulled a face khushi tried to pretend like she was just browsing whilst she heard Anjali pick up the her phone and dial Amans number to tell him off. 

After she'd had a go and cut the call the two ladies looked at one another khushi trying to hide her amusement  but in the end both women breaking into laughter.

...

As they walked into Raizada house with the odd shopping bag but more importantly smiles they are vey aptly blocked by Aman who looks like he's come home from the office early just for this. Dressed in a relaxed version of his office shirt and blazer he blocks Anjali in the hallway with a sugary smile and a beautiful bunch of pink roses. He was trying to pacify his wife knowing he hated the fact that he was on those magazine covers and god knows where else and It was rather cute he only got part way before they were summoned. ASR called for both Aman and Anjali from afar somewhere in the house.

 

...

 

Three out for four of AR's shareholders were in conversation in the privacy of one of the many rooms in Raizada house. ASR and Aman were sat on armchairs apt of their personality. Aman fairly casual whilst Arnav looked quite authoritative, Anjali on the other hand paced the room showing of her discontent.

"You can't, us bitchari (Khushi) par kya beet rahin hai bhagvan jane Arnav, No you can't. ("Think about Khushi you've put her through a lot already. )

Tum kahin nahin jaaonge I wont let you. ("You're not going anywhere)

Samjaon use, Anjali looked towards Aman annoyed but like more often then not when it came to business Aman was always on ASR's side. Both Aman and ASR held a similar business acumen and that's why they worked so well together.

"There is nothing that I don't understand here,  Akaash messed up it happens and he needs me their to help sort this out Khushi is fine shes' my wife Arnav Singh Raizdas okay shes though and it's a couple of weeks that's all. His sister wasn't convinced and he knew it her eyes carried a warning for him.

"Wasn't ma tough too and look at what happened there she crossed her arms now talking to just Arnav.

The room went silent at the mention of their mother who committed suicide.

It was time for him to have the last word, taking a pause as to be calm about the matter he stress's his words in all the right places.

"If we loose the contract hundreds will be out of work, it's not something I'm prepared to shoulder aur jaha tak mein janta hoon no would either of you want that so I'm off to the U.S whether anyone likes it or not.  Looking for more at his sister  for a reaction,  but it can wait for a week,  Akaash needs to lean to deal with his own mess let him stew.  I'll make sure Khushi is comfortable before I go.

The middle ground had been reached, Arnav was well aware that Anjali's upset wasn't about just this one instance it was about everything to do with the way he had dealt with his marriage.

There was a silence in the room which was followed by a knock at the door.

All eyes moving towards the entrance of the room to see Khushi, a little awkwardness in the likes of Aman forming and a smile of admiration on Anjalis face whilst ASR was the only one able to hold his poker face.

 

"Dinner is ready is the message Khushi had bought but she had a funny feeling that she had interrupted something.

"We'll be down in a minute, Anjali is quick to answer.

And so they were, whilst Khushi helped Hp with some last bits to lay the table, the rest of the family made their way to the table.

ASR's seat was at the head of the table, as he approached it he could see Adi linger around his new Khushi mami, go on ask him, ask him, little Adi whispered to khushi pushing him Khushi to ask Arnav something but Khushi calmed him down.

Adi had something in his hand he hid as soon as Khushi sweet talked him into leaving the matter to the side until after dinner. Arnav looked at both of them aware there was something she was hesitant about.

It so happened that Aman wanted to whisk Anjali away to take her mind off the recent disagreement between ASR and remind her about the flattery he had started but not finished. So with the excuse of having dinner in their room did the two of them leave. Adi had already runaway that left them waiting only for the grandmothers. He watched Khushi stand beside him to serve food into his plate, observant and wrapped in very silent thought for a moment his question might have seemed random to her and what was to follow even more so but he was still as sharp, intuitive even if it was just a everyday as this was.

 

"Did you cook? his eyes looking for a means to base his next thought on.

No it hariprakash, after getting his answer he was quick to throw in the napkin. 

"Lets go out for dinner.

 

 

Ready for her first ever dinner date abrupt as it may have been Khushi happens to walk past Anjalis room when she happens to unintentionally catch sight of Aman and Anjali. It looked like Aman had finally made it up to Anjali. In a flirtatious hug Aman was making Anjali open up a draw string gift bag. Anjali picked out of it lingerie which Aman asked her to wear flirtatiously. They had such a lovely relationship thought Khushi, playful and affectionate.

Nothing like hers and Arnavs which was pretty much non existent, even up until the fact that she found it easier to ask Akaash where he thought Arnav was likely to take her so she'd know how to dress.

He surprised her for they entered a small, stylist yet casual and tasteful street food delhi. That was the first time Khushi saw ASR in a slightly relaxed attire of a shirt and jumper and more importantly slightly more relaxed persona.

He had asked her what radio channel she wanted to listen to on the way to the restaurant, whether she was okay with the AC. She watched him by the corner of her eye throughout the drive, trying to get to know him better by observation if that was possible.  That continued as they walked through the doors of this lovely little food place, it very much surprised khushi that a man like ASR would be such a humble place to dine. The restaurant had wooden furniture, the type of lighting she adored and old Indian music. The man at greeting desk was an elderly man who seemed to know her husband. The menu was full of Indian favourites, ASR disclosed that restaurant was close to his heart for it was where he would visit with his mother and Anjali when they were younger.

For the very first time he had shared something very personal with her and she appreciated that.

Every moment after which during dinner was a moment in which either Khushi noticed something about her husband or Arnav about Khushi.

It felt like the wrong time to mention his trip.

Close to them leaving the resaurant khushi left for the bathroom leaving behind a stray bit of paper from her purse for  Arnav to notice.

He read into the little A5 size handrawn leaflets.

"Gayatri piano lessons he read out  and underneath was a little one liner about Khushi and her start up venture and a bit of art by little Adi it seemed.  When khushi returned she found one of her leaflets in his hands. This is what she was going to talk to him about.

ASR took a moment to think, he was somewhat hard to read In any first few seconds of a interaction  at least that's what Khushi found of him so far anyway where as she knew she was completely expressive.  She sat down for a moment ready to talk about it but before she could "It's a great idea.  He spoke in a little surprise but also appreciation could be seen in his eyes at the revival of something linked to his mother.  He took out his mobile phone and seemed to be taking a picture of the leaflet.

"I'll get  Aman to put this in the local paper,  that was a good idea but there was still something more for her to say..

"Akaash ne kaha attic Mein Purana piano hai maa ka I was hoping to use that. 

The mention of his mother made him pay a little more attention because she was talked about very little now after so many years .

He nodded with approval and could see she'd already thought all of this out.

Great she thought, leaving a leaflet with  the man at the restaurant counter and appreciative of how supportive he was.

 

...

On return home, Arnav could see the kitchen light on and decided to see who was still awake at this time whilst Khushi retired to her room.

He stepped into the kitchen to find Anjali filling a jug of water in her nightwear.

Did you have a nice time? she asked.. he replied with a nodd putting his car keys doen on the counter.

There was a still a tone of disagreement between them it seemed.

Did you tell her about your trip? She asked inquisitive.

No.. It wasn't the right time to talk about that.

She gave him yet another disappointed look and so it was now time to open this up.

Look di..  I know you don't agree with the way I've approached this marriage but getting engaged to khushi and marrying her later was about us both being ready for it. she was a college going girl, making her career deciding what she wants in life,  girls go out date, explore, need space rather than imprisonment into marriage at a age like that.

But khushi did non of that Arnav, you're her first date, today was her first ever date,   you her husband and you made her wait 3 years.  Arnav looked at his sister for a moment in silence.

 

Next chapter

Again this morning he saw her behave equally awkwardly as she had done the day before she  shuffled around him finding herself yet again very close to him when opening her eyes.  Before she could leave the bed he caught her arm twisting it gently back to make her stay in bed it was time to show her that this odd feeling she was uncomfortable about every morning was nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about.

She felt him hook his fingers and thumb around her underwear and gently pull at the material, she was a disarray at what was happening around her, they couldn't have been more different to one and other if they tried and yet that is what made them so compatible with one and other.

 i'm so sorry for all the delay in updating all the time, i'll try my best to be frequent again.. hope you all had a good christmas and new year.

jagrutid2019-01-19 08:54:23