Chapter 8

Sorry for the delay guys - crazy traveling around the world from work going on so i've not been able to have any time to myself .

Chapter 8

Before she could leave   he caught her arm turning it gently back to make her stay in bed “if they're bothering you...?”

"They're not ...sab bohotatche hai”(everyone is very kind)..she said softly, look at me and say that again, he almost commanded.

He wanted to see if she was hiding something from him or it was really true.

"Aur mein...(and me?) asking inquisitively to see whether khushi did in fact hold some unhappiness towards him. She answered as expected in his favor".  Aap bhi..” (you too)

Like last night today she seemed as uncomfortable with their closeness it wasn't a surprise Khushi hadn't slept beside a man before nor had she ever thought about what that sort of closeness did to her or him. All she knew was that she felt embarrassingly warm and heightened in the morning after finding herself against him. She wanted to run off to the was room where as ASR was more adamant now 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.

She held her breath for a moment whilst he pulled parted her within her underwear with his fingers put his lips to her ears, you're not expected at the breakfast table because they expect us to be doing this...right? He whispers into her ear making her heart run at a million miles per hour. "Sune, hame jane dijyey..she pleas ..”

"Kiss me and I'll let you go”... he demands sternly..

"I can't she replies

"Try” .. he refuses to accept. .He was so handsome up close

As was she delicately beautiful. She just couldn’t ..her heart was beating a hundred miles an hour…and with it her eyes darting here there and everywhere but at him.

Seeing her flutter had its own pleasure he realized but he couldn’t hold her for two long knowing she was uncomfortably shy.  Letting her go.. he realized that he was slowly but surely very seduced by his new bride.  

An amusement played on his face watching her scurry away and leave to the bathroom.

….

A little later did Khushi walk into his study having seen Arnav walk that way earlier.  He liked to get some space early morning and get organized and Khushi was limited as to what she could do. She tiptoed in her early morning look, the green of her saari bringing out her milky complexion even more.

Catching his eye somewhat as he paced the floor of his study turning the pages of some file.

“It’s still early” she explained when their eyes met.

The no nonsense person he was he was annoyed at how silly this was.

“I’llthrow the lot of them out so you can have the breakfast table to yourself Ifyou like.”-almost on the verge of calling Hp she stops him.

“Aisa mat kijyey”,   (don’t do that) I can wait.. its their home as much as it isanyones.

“Myhouse my rules., ” he says most probably out of habitnow, to which Khushi lowers her eyes

sighing a little at how polite his wife was in comparison to him he redirected the conversation knowing he was in the wrong here.

“Let me show you something”

Khushi watched him walk around and unlock a drawer at this desk..it was obviously a safe so she closed her eyes as not to see the pin code.

“You don’t have to look away.”

“But if its confidential”, she explained knowing thather husband did not trust people with ease.

“Yes,but I trust you.” He said so easily which caught her by surprise, almost seemed like the first ever personal reference to their relationship he had ever made.

He took her hand in his for a moment,pulled out a marker pen from on his desk and scribbled on the front of her palm

In here you’ll find the deeds to Raizada house,Banking and business accounts enough money should you ever need it.

You’re a named shareholder in everything that is mine,you, Akaash, Di and Aman

If anything ever was to happen to me ..

It won’t .. she said with utter confidence, I’ve been fasting for three years –

He took a moment to reflect, khushi was the most sincere lady he had ever come across and it reminded him of all the conflict his choices around this marriage his sister and nani would reminded him of time and time again.

He took a pause ..

“About that, 3 years so you could determine your own prospects, and change your mind if you wanted to about me, and so I could builda secure future for us.

“If It was testing I apologize.” She could see he was speaking with honesty and more so he wasn’t Aman used to admitting that he may have been responsible for the unpleasant.

“It was lonely” – were the only words that came to find for Khushi all the rest couldn’t even be put into words.

Closing the space between them ASR felt obliged to console his wife, stood over her close  as he traced his words softly, discreetly..

“And even in  your loneliness you remained loyal to me, and our marriage..that is why I trust you khushi.”

She felt a strange sensation of wonder in this moment at how far she had come, into his home, into his life. He caressed her face in watch of her..whilst she reminded him it was breakfast time.

…

Anjali was helping Adi with his homework at the kitchen table which made Khushi feel a reluctant when ASR insisted he would make breakfast.  Anjali smiled pleased to see the couple together wishing them good morning whilst Khushi accompanied ASR into the kitchen.

He instructed  her on the ingredients that he wished for their breakfast which agreed to prepare whilst he made the coffee.

Anjali was pleased to see the two together,any inclination to tease them would be welcome by her but they didn’t give her the opportunity. Not until one happened to present its self.

The strings of Khushi’s blouse unknown to her come astray..

Knowing full well that she won’t be able to correct it herself Anjali uses it as a means to create romance between the couple.

“Khushi tumari blouse”… purposefully she calls out for Khushi to wonder what is wrong and for ASR to overhear and see.

Trying to look over her back whilst trying to prep intredigents at the kitchen sink..

ASR aptly..is able to see the struggle and steps of over to help.

Inevitable was Khushi’s embarrassment as she felt him linger behind her back..aw god she thought whilst Anajli smiled to herself pretending to be non the wise but it was clear to even her that they needed to be bought together.

Khushi held a breath a second as she felt his finger tips brush against her back as he pulled together to strings of her blouse and then tied a knot. His aftershave lingered close to her as did just his presence which sent all sorts of sensations of nervousness through her.

“Shukriya”  (Thank you )– she managed to say to which he nodded and went back to his coffee making.

The way he took a glace at her a moment later was surely to do ..with the observations he had made about her figure in the last couple of moments.

..

Coffee was ready, as was the continental breakfast ASR helped put together with khushi ..as khushi served it into plates Anjali seemed to have something she’d wanted to mention to her brother.

Arnav.. why don’t you take Khushi with you on business,

“No that’s not ideal ..”

“Well I’m sure you’d find time for each other” Anjali tried to push on the topic to which wasn’t well received by Arnav.

That is what our father did di if you remember correctly leaving ma feeling like she was part of his recreational activity to make us of as and when he needed so no!

Khushi couldn’t always understand their conversations in hindi but definitely understood the sentiment, by which timesASR’s phone began to ring to which he needed to leave the kitchen to answer.

“I’ll be back in a second” – he announced whilst  Anjali smiled at Khushi who was so beautiful and faultless in all this.

…

They ate breakfast together which was a intimate affair, just the two of them. Khushi refilled ASR’s coffee from time to time. He wanted to keep everything about them, just the two of them in the run up to him leaving for his trip.

“Kalse ham nasta banayeyge”, (I’ll make breakfast from tomorrow)

Whyis It that bad? -  he looks up from his skilled use of the knife and fork athis breakfast plate with ease.

“Nahin magar.. sab kya sochenge ..” (No but what willpeople think)

“Ama yaha hoti toh..” (If my mother was here she’d be..) getting part way then loosing her word she didn’t need to know about that but she also paused most probably thinking about her mother

“Doyou miss home...?” he asked, he was incredibly perceptive and could read her well.

“This is my home” she answered looking up at him with a smile. She as indeed very beautiful he noticed yet again this morning.

“I mean your parents home?”

“Ji..  ..”she nodded her head not sure how much she could go on to speak about that.

“I’ll drive you there later if you like ..” he almost decided they were going.

“That’d be nice ..” – she smiled, surprised but pleasantly so not expecting his next suggestion.

“I’d like to take you to visit my mother too well her tombstone”

Khushi nodded  knowing that was very sentimental and personal to him.

….

A few seconds on and Hp enters to kitchen asking whether he was okay to carry out his laundry chores quietly. Invited in Khushi and ASR go on to eat however ASR by glace notices Hp putting into his pockets money he finds in the laundry into his own pockets and that to in a very concealed fashion. Khushi noticing ASR’s eyes on Hp also happens to see what was going on.

Shouldn’t you be calling out what you’ve found instead of putting it into your own pockets.. ASR directs his words firmly towards the back of Hp’s posture.  Hari Prakash tries to awkwardly justify himself but fails.Guilt all over his face.

“Out of my sight – in fact go home, your suspended  till further notice.!”

ASR’s words were stern as was the look in his eyes.

Khushicould feel his rage but also his knee jerk reaction over the matter. Her response was calm but responsive.  

“Hariprakashji, aap sara bahar intaazar kijyey” (Hp wait outside a second..)

Not used to anyone but his sister interrupting him ASR eyes Khushi. Unknowingly his glare must have been sharp for Khushi to feel

“Gustaaki keliyey maafi chahte hai Lekin aisa bhi ho sakta hai ke hariprakash koi parshanime ho, majboor ho” (without being disrespectful but maybe Hariprakash is in sometrouble)

It seemed as If he had already made his mind up.

“If so speak up rather than be dishonest, if there’sone thing I do not tolerate then that is deceit!”

Khushi gave it a moment she could hardly fault either of the men. What came to light was her husband’s intolerance.

“Hame baat karnedijyey Hari prakash se”, (“let me talk to him”)

Throwing his napkin into his plate he looks at Khushi for a moment,

“As long as he’s out of my sight.”. he speaks his words weighted and when he thought less of the matter at hand and more about the lady in front of him he paused realizing that she shouldn’t be baring the brunt of his anger. Seeing her lowered gaze and what was only sensible reasoning. “Raise your eyes, you’ve done nothing wrong.” He adds before picking up his car keys from the side and leaving the kitchen

“I’ll wait for you in the car.”

…..

Coming up

Down in the AR house Khushi is with the rest of the women in the house browsing the jewelry collection. A pair of green earrings adorned in gold catch her eye.

ASR watches Khushi from afar from a floor above whilst on a call with Aman. She of course catches his attention whilst Aman has part of it.

“ASR need you to review the amended collection before it goes on launch – let me know when you’re free and we’ll set up ac atwalk.”

“I’ll go on your word Aman if you think its fine I’m happy” ASR having a lot of trust in Aman doesn’t really need to hear every word of the conversation, however Aman as ever does it work with ample degree of accuracy.  “Be better if you had a look”

“Okay bring home the sample, I’ll take a look and then sign it off.” Agreeing ASR puts the phone down all the while his eyes on Khushi he dials a number.

Khushi’s phone down in the lounge rings,amongst mami, nani and others who are making a bit of noise fussing over the gold seller Khushi takes the call.

Seeing the phone display as Mr Raizada takes the call aware In the back of the mind that he ought to not be far but had maybe left the house for something.

Watching her all the while she goes on naively to take the call..

“You can have every piece of gold that man has to sell if you finish off what you started this morning.”At first just wanting to see where he was she looks around and catches him on the staircase landing.

Their eyes lingering for a second until Khushi realizes she’s been teased and cuts the call.

Announcing to the women she wants no jewelry she gets up to leave the room making ASR chuckle, but it a moment past amusement he was very aware that closeness between the two of them was required.