Chapter 16
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Thanks for all your wonderful comments. And a special thanks
to all those who write a little extra. I am sorry for not being able to reply
to everyone.
Beaten it to death a
little bit. Bear with me.
Desert Rose ' Chapter 15
You will marry me.
Khushi
replayed the words Arnav had said to her, over and over again, as she stood
making jalebis later that evening. He had just said it with as much emotion as
announcing a merger.
Her
thoughts went back to the night in the desert. Things had gone downhill after
their lovemaking, when he had found out she was not the sophisticated older
woman, who knew what she was getting into when she had asked to go out with
him.
Later, the situation had worsened when he had
found out about her deception. His intense anger had been palpable when he had
not minced words in letting her know exactly what he thought of her and then he
had just up and left for Delhi for one whole week.
Why
was he asking her to marry him, now?
What
had happened between them was mutual, and did not put him under any obligation
to marry her, especially, in the world he came from. His conscience wasn't
bothering him all of a sudden, was it?
Suddenly,
hearinga loud crash coming from the direction of Payal's room, Khushi rushed
toward her bedroom, panic seizing her heart. But before she could touch the
door, already slightly ajar, she heard Akash's voice. 'Payal, please calm
down,' he implored, 'God, I wish I hadn't told you anything. I finally told
mother about our baby and that I will walk out of the house if she didn't allow
me to marry you, alright?' He paused.
'All
I am saying is that life will be very tough if I walk out, especially with the
baby coming. If only bhai relents and helps us, everything will be fine.' He
sighed.
Then Khushi heard Akash talking on the phone
that had been ringing for a while now.'Oh no!'He exclaimed loudly, 'Di just
called'' mom took something ' she is unconscious. Manav is on the way. I have
to go home Payal.' Hestepped out of the room, his face an anguished mask, as he
rushed out the house.
Khushi
opened the door to Payal's room and walked up to her, 'Payal'..' she whispered.
'Everything
is over Khushi''. Akash '.and I will never be able to marry now.' Payal said
between sobs.
'Shh'..jiji
everything will be ok'' I promise,' said Khushi soothingly, as she took her
sister in her arms, rocking her until she calmed down. After a few minutes, she
tucked her under the covers, switched off the light and stepped out of the
room.
Later
that night, Khushi paced about the bedroom, feeling restless. She went to the
french doors, looking in the direction of the green house. She dialled Arnav's
number.
A
few minutes later, Khushi heard a rap on the french doors of her bedroom and
was shocked to see Arnav standing there. 'How did you get here so soon?' she
asked him,as she opened the French doors, her dhak-dhak starting as she tried not
to stare at how handsome he looked in the white t-shirt and jeans.
'I
was in green house when you called,' he said, leading her toward the edger of
the terrace, 'I came on my bike,' he addedpointing to the Royal Enfield that
stood on the ground below.
'How is mamiji?' she asked him, her brows
creased with worry.
'Don't
tell me you called me all the way here just to enquire about mami's health?' he
asked mockingly.
'Arnavji!'
Khushi admonished,'Please! I saw how disturbed Akashji was when he left here few
hours ago. I put my sister down to sleep with great difficulty,' she paused
before asking in a low voice,'Did she try to '..to kill herself?'
'She
took ''something,' he said carefully,'But Manav came and took care of it. She
is fine now.'
'Arnavji,'
Khushi clutched Arnav's hand urgently,'I am really sorry for what
happened.Please'..you have to help.'
He
looked at her hand clutching his arm, 'I was going to allow Akash and Payal to
meet ---the day we went out,' he said his brown eyes boring into hers steadily.
'That is what I came to tell you that morning.'
'What?'
Khushi stepped back,'Why didn't you tell me?' she asked in an anguished
whisper.
'You
said, you wanted to negotiate --- what was I supposed to think? I thought you
wanted to take the money and leave.'
'Oh
God!'
'I
am ready to talk to mami ---,' he said carefully measuring his words, '---if
you agree to my condition.'
Khushi
looked at him, her almond eyes luminous as she asked him, 'Why in the world do
you want to marry me?'
Arnav
looked at Khushi, his eyes sweeping her from top to toe. A few strands of her
hair fell across her face making her look vulnerable. Even with her face
creased with worry, she looked exquisitely beautiful. Doesn't she look at
herself in the mirror?
'Why the hell would anyone in his right mind
not want to marry you?'
Khushi
was taken aback by his enigmatic reply. 'I told you --- I don't plan to do any
such thing!' she turned away from him. 'I --- I don't even like you.'
'Liking
has nothing to do with it,' he shot out, his temper rising up a notch. 'Nani
and Di have been pressuring me to marry for a long time now. You are suitable.
Very suitable. So we'll get married.'
'Oh
God!' she struggled against the tears. 'I can't believe you would marry some
woman because she is --- suitable.'
'You
asked me a question and I answered it for you,' he said gruffly staring at her
turned back,'I am sorry it is not to your liking. Anyway, it is your choice. If
you are done, I will get going.'
Khushi's
mind was racing. When she had agreed to Anjali's plan, she had told herself
that the end justified the means. But in reality, she had sold her soul to the
devil, for her sister's happiness. And now the devil was collecting his dues.
Marriage under different circumstances might be heaven with this man. But not
under compulsion. Not a dictatorial 'You suit my requirements.'
'I'll
marry you,' she said through clenched teeth. 'But you'll not get any pleasure
out of it Mr.Raizada.'
'Ah,
how nice. And how enthusiastic,' he retorted. 'You overwhelm me with your
desires.'
She
stood in stony silence.
'Alright
then, it's a deal,' he said brusquely.'Be ready tomorrow at ten o' clock. I
will come pick you up.' He walked towardthe stone steps that would lead him
down.
'To'.tomorrow?'
she asked him as she whirled around in surprise.
'Yes,
tomorrow.' He paused in his stride.'There is just one more thing to do.'
He
turned around, walking toward her like a hunting animal in the jungle. Alarmed,
Khushi backed up, struggling to calm her heart which had begun to clamour
wildly. 'What else?' she whispered.
'It's
a poor bargain if we don't seal it with a kiss, my sweet Desert Rose,' he said,
his chocolate eyes resplendent with flecks of gold. He pushed her back against
the French doors, pinning her body against his, as his soft, sweet lips came
down on hers, his tongue entering her mouth to explore its warm recesses, slowly
but surely,sending a shaft of familiar jolt right down to the pit of her
stomach.She lost herself in the glory of it, savouring every second until she
was no longer passive in his arms, but had become a participant.
His
hands swept down the swell of her breasts coming to rest just below the inward
swell of her waist, and pulled her lower body forward into his hardness. Her
own hands fluttered at his neck, shoulders, and finally slipped into the crisp
hair at the back of his head. And when he broke contact with his lips she huddled
closer, resting her head on his chest, listening to nothing in the world but
his heartbeat.
For
a moment she drew back, as she thought of the endearment he had used for her'..Desert Rose. The words he had said to
her the other night came back to her ----
Tell me how it was, my
Desert Rose, with your saint's eyes and sinner's body'.
Her
long, slender fingers pushed against him, and he let her go. She took two steps
backwards, looked up at his hard face, and whimpered.
'Khushi?'
he asked his as he struggled to catch his breath.
'Don't
touch me.' She said her eyes filling with tears.'I am marrying you for Payal's
sake and nothing else.'
'Ek hazaaron mein meri behana hai'..'
he said, his tone laced with sarcasm,'I get it'.don't worry I am not that desperate.'
She
whirled away farther, stabbed at her clouded eyes, and ran. She stepped into
her bedroom and shut the doors, shutting him out.
Of
course he wasn't desperate. Why would he be, when he had women like Ria Chopra,
who would be ready to worship the ground he walked on --- marital status
notwithstanding?
As
the car passed by the city of Bikaner, Khushi realized nothing had changed in
the little over two weeks that she had been here. The enchanting desert city
was the same, bustling with tourists and its bright cheerful people, its
undulating lanes, the market place alive with music and dance.Khushi looked
woefully at the colourful bazaars, remembering how she had promised herself a
visit.
But
she had changed. She was no longer Khushi Kumari Gupta. She was Khushi Singh
Raizada. She had gone along blindly with what he asked, as though hypnotized.
They had solemnized their marriage facing a registrar, with two of Arnav's
office workers acting as witnesses. Right after that, Arnav had fastened a
mangalsutra around her neck followed by the application of sindoor.
Emerging
into the hot afternoon sunshine with the man who was now her husband, she
thought for the first time in hours, of Payal, trying to imagine her reaction
to the news.
Her
job! She would have to call Mrs Malhotra and tell to hire a replacement for
her.
And
she would have to call Suraj. He was a friend and that was the least she could
do. How did she explain something she barely understood herself? shethought
despairingly.
A
little later, Khushi and Arnav stood in the grand living room, facing the
stunned family members. Nani, Anjali and Shyam stood looking at them,utterly
speechless, while Arnav announced that they were married, legally, in the court
of law.
'This
is a '.surprize!' Anjali said slowly
walking up to them, 'But definitely a pleasant one,' she added, breaking into a
tearful smile as she hugged her brother, 'I have always dreamed of this day,
Chotte, I am so happy for you.'
She
turned toward Khushi, 'Khushiji' I can't think of a better girl for my
brother,' she said taking her in an embrace, 'welcome to the family.'
'Both,
of you should take nani's blessings now,' Anajli said, as she ushered them
toward her, silently imploringher grandmother for understanding.
Naniji,
acceded, acknowledging Anjali with a slight nod, as she blessed the newly
married couple with eyes filled with tears.
Akash
came up and hugged Arnav, muttering his congratulations, still looking a little
dazed, as Shyam stood in a stony silence.
'Let's
go visit with mami now,' Arnav said leading the way toward mamiji's room.
Arnav
announced the news of their marriage to a surprized mami. When she refused to
acknowledge Khushi who had come up to her to touch her feet, he requested
everyone to leave the room so he could have a private conversation with her.
'What
have you done Arnav bitwa?' mamiji cried, just after Arnav had closed the door
to the room.
'Isn't
that obvious?' said Arnav,nonchalant, as he walked back to face her.
'But'.why?'
she said astounded.
'Why
do people around the world get married mami? ' he said, his lips twisted in
smirk, 'You aren't expecting me to spell it out for you, are you?'
'Arnav
bitwa!'
'Alright,
I will come to the point,' he said affably, 'now that Khushi is a Raizadabahu,
you shouldn't have any problems accepting her sister as your daughter-in-law.'
He
paused looking at her ashen face, 'I would appreciate it if you could give
Akash and Payal your blessings.'
'Never!'
she spat out vehemently.
'Excuse
me?' said Arnav raising an eye brow, as he stared at his aunt.
'I
will not accept a girl who gets pregnant out of wedlock!' she grated.
'Mami!
It is Akash who is responsible for that!' he shot back.
'I
don't believe it,' she said calmly, 'She is lying.'
'I
don't think so,' Arnav said his voice firm, 'If it would make you feel better
to know---I had them investigated.'
'So
you had your doubts too, didn't you?' mamijiasked him sharply.
'I
did in the beginning, but not anymore,' he replied sincerely.
'Of
course you don't!' exclaimed mamiji spitefully,'that shameless hussy mesmerized
you with her ----'
'Mami!'
Arnav cut her off sharply, 'don't you ever
talk about my wife like that again,' he said, histone dangerously low.
'Look'.,'
he calmed down and tried a different route, 'They are very attached to each
other. I think you know it was Payal who brought Akash out of the amnesia.'
'I would never let my son marry that low-class
penniless waif,' she declared vociferously, 'how can I --- when there will be girls
from royal families lined up for him?'
'Ah
that's exactly what's bothering you!' he spat out trying to control the immense
rage that assailed him. It was time to bring her down from her lofty ideals.
'It is Iwho comes from royal lineage.So
the girls from the royal families are basically lining up for the Raizada name
that I insisted that Akash should have after mamaji passed away.'
The
reminder was like a splash of cold water on mami. She decided to play her trump
card. 'Thanks for showing us our place, Arnav bitwa,' she said, her nose flared
up in anger, 'however, I am his
mother and I will decide who he will or will not marry!'
Arnav
looked at mami, temper simmering in his eyes as he said, 'You are right mami.
You are his mother and you have the right to decide ---,' he paused,' ' but not
under my roof.'
'What?'
she said, shocked out of her wits, 'are you asking me to leave this house? you
can't do that!'
'Why
not?' he asked her smoothly, 'this is neither you husband's house, your
father's nor for the matter of fact ' yours.'
'Where
will I go?' she asked her face pale as ash.
'Back
to where you came from --- to your relatives in Katariasar.'
Mami's
face was getting redder by the minute. 'But
my brother's house is too ---'
'Small?'
Arnav finished for her, 'you know what they say about people in glass houses ''it
doesn't suit you to be talking about
other people's class and financial status.
'Just
because you live in luxury here, with servants at your beck and call, it
doesn't give you a right to be condescending.If you want to continue enjoying
the benefits you receive here, I would suggest you give your blessings to Akash
and Payal. '
'I
wish I had died yesterday instead of having to listen to these insults!' she cried
out.
'About
yesterday''..' said Arnav, 'next time you want to get knocked out, please feel
free to borrow from my liquor cabinet.'
'I
'I was going to 'die and here you are joking about it!'mamiji stuttered.
'No
one dies of a little cough syrup overdose mami,' he said looking at her as she
once again paled visibly, 'Manav took the bottle of "poison" for analysis
yesterday'..' he left the sentence hanging when he caught mamiji's guilty look.
'So
mami, I will leave you to get on with the wedding preparations then,' said
Arnav walking out of the room, leaving a stunned mamiji staring after him.
Khushi
gazed out into the bare landscape, seated in the passenger seat of the car,as
Shyam drove her to the guest house.After they had stepped out of mami's room, she
had requested nani about visiting Payal. Naniji had thought it was a good idea
as they intended to prepare for Grihapravesh as per tradition. Shyam had
offered to drop her.
Although
Khushi had tuned out most of what Shyam had said, overwhelmed by the tumultuous
emotions that assailed her, she figured that he was trying to sympathize with
her for having this marriage forced upon her. For some odd reason, she felt a
tingle of uneasiness nagging at her subconscious mind.
What
brought her out of her numbness, however, was the revulsion she felt in her
body when he placed his hand on hers, to give a light reassuring squeeze. Khushi
looked up to see he had leaned in a little closer, and although his smile was
pleasant enough, the look in his eyes sent a shiver of fear up her spine.
She
hurriedly muttered out her thanks, as she scrambled out of the car, to run up
the short path toward the front door.
A
little later, Khushi sat in her bedroom, trying to assimilate what Payal had
just revealed to her.
When
she had entered the house and hesitatingly tried to explain to her about her
marriage to Arnav, Payal, surprisingly calm, had hugged her, telling her that
she was happy for them. At Khushi's surprize, she had revealed what Akash had
told her yesterday.
Her
ploy to go out with Arnav for Payal's sake, had transformed into a scandal in a
small village like Katariasar, ironically becoming the big reason for mamiji's
objection.
Khushi
understood now why Arnav had to marry her --- to save her reputation in
mamiji's eyes so he could remove her objections and obtain her blessing for
Akash and Payal's union.
He
was doing this for his brother's happiness 'for the love and responsibility he
had toward him.
Arnav
was driven by a keen sense of responsibility, which even years ago had forced
him stay back in India, to take care of his family and revive his dad's
factory, giving up all his dreams and aspirations of a different future. He had
even tried to be responsible toward Lavanya when he had offered to marry her.
That
day, in the desert, he had opened up to her about how he regretted his actions
toward his parents just before their accident. This sense of responsibility had
stemmed from the guilt that he had developed for not being able to apologize to
his them before it was too late, and hence, the constant need to prove himself
over and over again.
Hey
Devi Maiyya! If only she hadn't been hasty to go out with him, they wouldn't
have landed in this mess in the first place. He might have handled everything
in his own way and solved the problem. What had she done?
There
was one way to clean up this mess, thought Khushi
fiercely. Once Akash and Payal were married and settled into their family life,
she would find a way to give him freedom from this forced relationship.
While
Khushi was lost in her thoughts, Arnav stood at the door, his face stoic, as he
took in her woebegone expression in the mirror.
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