Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Closer, a little more comfortable and reassured of his presence in her life  that is how he wanted her to feel after their intimate night.  

A step forward, a step in the right direction however as Arnav Singh Raizada opened his eyes to new rays of sunshine his other half was missing from his bedside. Either in the shower or couple of steps ahead of him this morning he assumed and took a few minutes to reflect on their night. Meaningful on his part and brave on hers were the words that came to mind. It was a matter to handle very carefully he knew. 

Not finding her at the poolside as he gets out of bed or in the room when he steps out of the shower Arnav continues assuming she ought to be in morning prayer.

Not finding her there either he walks into the lounge where he comes across his sister.

Adjusting the sleeves to his more retired attire of a open collar white shirt apt for his days off his eyes search the house loosely before stopping to ask Anjali who is going about her day. 

Aap ne Khushi ko dekha di ? (Do you Know where Khushi at Di?”)

“mandir Chali gayi (She left for the mandir left you breakfast) Anjali says as she walks past with a smile.

Looking over to the breakfast table Arnav takes a few steps closer to find his breakfast laid out for him with a note written on a bit of folded card.

“For Arnavji” it read.

Like all her gestures towards him this two was simple sweet sensitive. He wished to know where she was at. Taking his phone out of his trouser pocket he dials Khushis number but gets no response as half expected. 

A little later that morning Arnav is behind a newspaper in Raizada lounge he hears one of the raizada cars pull in. Sure it was Khushi from the footsteps into the house he looks up from his paper for a moment and realises he’s missed her.

She’d been side stepping him all morning it seemed, did all wives behave this way after their wedding night he thought to himself before spotting Hp and asking him on the where abouts of his wife

When hearing she was up in the attic spring cleaning along with his sister a little annoyed at what seemed to be deliberate dismissal of him today he puts out a demanding and loud call out into Raizada house for his wife. 

“KHUSHI”

Her name echoes in his voice in the house and Khushi who indeed is in the attic with Anjali dusting of old keeps startles as does Anjali at the sudden call.

When Khushi finds her way into the lounge Arnav still behind his newspaper putting it down just as she walks towards him. 

Ji .. she’s says with a curiosity but caution.  

Hes observing her a little more than usual this morning. 

Can I get a coffee please? 

That was all she thought in a sudden moment of reaction her eyes fluttered but then went about the task nodding a yes walking off to the kitchen. 

The surprise was because there seemed to be plenty of house help who probably new how to make a better cup of coffee than she did. 

Arnav followed her into the kitchen after a moment his intention was to get some alone time with Khushi.

He watched her as she went about the kitchen she seemed a little jittery around him once she realised he had joined her. He stood by her side..,she looked at him a glance then dropped her gaze. 

Even the coffee cup in her hand seemed to be unsteady as she handed it to him. 

“I’m sorry.. woh pata Nahin Kya ho raha hai” (i dont what’s wrong with me) she began to apologise for her nerves on her own accord. 

“It’s okay” he reassured her she need not apologise. It seemed as if last night had created some Barriers of embarrassment and unease blaming himself for his haste in moving there relationship forward ASR wonders if he’d done wrong by her and begins to walk away. 

Just as he turns away a little she unexpectedly stops him. 

“Rukiyey..” (don’t leave )..

Her expression Telling that she appreciated his presence but controlling her nerves and embarrassment wasn’t within her gift at this time. 

He stepped back his mind searching for the right words for he new his instinctive nature would fail in choosing the correct words at this time but as the moment unfolded neither of them had to say anything as a jar from one of the kitchen shelves came crashing down it startled Khushi and forced her to jump into Arnavs arms.

He wrapping his free arm around her whilst she sits in his chest and steadying the the cup in the other hand ASR comforts Khushi. A little awkwardness in her yet again felt but he forgave it knowing he was the route cause of such a fragile relationship.

With the likes of Hp running in to make sure everything is okay does ASR break his hold Per nature he wasn’t bothered about onlookers.

...

ASR was due to leave the next morning whatever time they had between them now was what remained until 3 weeks of his return.

He was packing his suitcase  within their room whilst Khushi was preparing for her first piano tuition. Hps son was keen to learn however the piano per nature was prone to falling out of tune. 

He gave her the information she required as it came to mind. Where she’d find access to savings if she required them, on what number she ought to ring him ext.. 

Per nature he was organised she took a mental note of it all whilst trying to plan out her first ever piano lesson. Only the instrument fell short again.

When she approached him he was just sipping up his bag.

It’s stopped working again 

I’ll get Aman to get you a replacement he said per his practical nature.

Nahin, id like to use this one keeping in mind the family legacy behind it. 

“Can you show me how to fix it?” She asks curiously impressing him with her ambition. Raising his eyebrow at first then seeing the possibility in the suggestion he sits out in the poolside on the piano stool picks up Khushis musical notepad and pen and draws out the basic workings of the piano under its base. As he circles the area that was cause for problem and us about to explain how to fix the instrument until commotion down in raizada house is heard.

Both ASR and Khushi walk down into the lounge to find two new faces to Khushi enter the house. Familiar to all it seemed but her. The young lady was dressed in blue jeans a white T-shirt and leather jacket whilst the male with her in a casual blue shirt and expensive sun glasses.

The first thing the girl did is approach ASR and sweep him in a hug after meeting with Anjali. 

The girl seem to have a crazy buzz about her  enough to have got hold of Arnavs plane ticket and ripped it up. 

The amazing thing was that straight talking and sharp Arnav Singh Raizada just watched. 

“Avi” he sighed for a moment watching and waiting for the explanation. 

You no longer need this because I’m here and you’re not aloud to go when I’ve come all this way to see you.

ASR having heard enough is about to become his less patient self  but the girl gets a word in just in time.

It’s done, I fixed the US thing well Anuj did and Akaash is on his way home. 

ASR looks at his brother in law to be for confirmation and then sweeps his Youngest of siblings into his arms with a smile.

A minute or so later after greetings are exchanged  ASR introduces the two new faces to Khushi.

Avi Singh Raizada was Arnavs cousin and Anuj was her fiancé to be.

Khushi got a rather warm hug from Avi and a kind smile from Anuj. They both seemed like lovely people. 

.. 

That was that Akaash would be on a flight home soon, Avi explains how Anuj had managed to help Akaash out of his troubles over dinner and they all have pleasant conversation over the table. 

Khushi notices the visible companionship Avi and her partner Anuj have, they hold hands they have private jokes. They exchange food from one and others plates.

They have what one would call a magazine cover relationship. The kind of relationship Khushi would read about it the press where both look perfect intimate.

They weren’t yet married yet they had a great relationship.

It saddened Khushi a little when she thought about the run up to her marriage. 

It was so different, even the food this couple had on their plates even the way they spoke the way they dressed all complimented each other.

When she thought about herself and the way her life had been it was nothing like that. She was so different to ASR.. it was all so different. 

Khushi ignored her mind for a moment and continued to eat.

....

Next chapter 

There’s something not quiet right about bhai and Khushis marriage. They’re distant speculates Avi in bed as Anuj secretly sneaks into her room to talk.

Sorry for the delay not completely satisfied with this chapter hopefully will feel content with the next. Thanks to all