Chapter 17
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[MEMBERSONLY]
Thanks for all your wonderful comments. Special thanks to
all those who have taken time to write detailed comments. And sorry for the
"kuch nahi" to --- you know who you
are''
Extra special thanks Nisha for offering to make such a sweet banner for Desert Rose
Why doesn't the mind understand what the heart already
knows?
Desert Rose ' Chapter 16
THE knock on the door,
startled Khushi out of her reverie, and she lifted her head to see Arnav
standing at the door.
'Here
is a saree and jewellery nani would like you to wear for the Grihapravesh,' he
said gruffly, 'I tried to deter them but they wouldn't budge. So let's get it
over with. I will wait downstairs while you change and pack your suitcase.'
'Has
mamiji agreed?' Khushi asked softly.
'Of
course!' he said arrogantly, 'she will be working on getting the dates for the
wedding.'
A
little later, Khushi came down the stairs, to see Arnav staring up her. She
began to feel very conscious. 'I '..I think this saree is too grand,' she said,
trying to smooth the invisible creases.
The
saree was buttery cream georgette completely embroidered with gold work in a light
floral-creeper design. The rich gold border was embellished with a combination
of sequins, beads and kundan work. A wave of blue above the border and pallu
added a dash of colour, complemented to perfection by the sapphire and gold
jewellery.
'Beautiful'.'
he said in a whisper, slurring on the 'u', as he stared at her in open
admiration.
'She
always looks beautiful in a saree.' Payal said, bringing him out of his trance.
'Arnavji
has asked me come and stay in the Haveli Khushi,' Payal said shyly as Khushi
came down.
'Well,
she can hardly stay here all alone.' He said when Khushi looked at him in surprise.
The
Grihapravesh ritual took place without too much fanfare, with Anjali applying
tilak on their forehead before doing the aarti. Naniji asked Khushi to kick the
pot or rice with her right foot before entering the house. After Arnav and
Khushi entered the house, they took naniji's blessings. Anjali took Khushi in
her arms and welcomed her warmly. Next, Anjali hugged Payal, exuberantly
expressing her happiness about having her stay with them.
The
dinner was a grand affair with the entire family present except mamiji who had
was still "recovering" from the unfortunate incident no one wanted to talk
about. Khushi ate little as she practically had no appetite and was just
craving for some sleep.
'Khushiji,
you will have to wait for some more time before you can sleep tonight,' Anjali teased.
Khushi
looked first with confusion and then her face went a deep red as comprehension
dawned. She looked at Arnav whose face looked like it was etched in stone.
'Di,
can I talk to you alone for a minute?' Arnav said standing up.
'What
happened, Chotte?' asked Anjali alarmed at Arnav's tone.
'Now,
Di.' He rasped as he walked away toward naniji's bedroom.
'Di,
I think you have enjoyed this Grihapravesh or whatever it was, but that's
enough, alright?' said Arnav rudely. 'I know what you were trying to say there
at dinner. I don't want you to go ahead and arrange for a frigging Suhaag Raat or
anything like that.'
'Chotte!
Don't take that tone with your sister,' said nanjii as she joined them, 'those
rituals are a part of tradition.'
'I
don't care!'
'Of
course you don't. You never cared four years ago, when you suddenly decided to
get engaged. And you didn't care now when you came home after you were married.'
'Nani,
please,' begged Anjali her eyes filled with tears.
Naniji
continued, 'The reason why I didn't say anything about this marriage was
because it is the right thing to do --- under the circumstances. Moreover,
Anjali bitiya and I are just relieved that you even married!'
'Well,
always happy to please.' He said sardonically.
'Chotte!'
Anjali implored, 'nani and I understand why you had to marry in haste. But we
were hoping'..' She paused,'you would consider going through all the rituals
along with Akash'we could have a double wedding.'
'No
way!'
'Why
not?' Naniji said indignant at his behaviour.
'Why
the f@#$ is everyone hung up on rituals?' Arnav lashed out.'Do these so called
rituals keep people together for ever? Is that a pre-requisite for a happy
married life? Were mom and dad perfectly happy?' He paused,'I don't think so.'
'Chotte!'
Nani said horrified at what Arnav had said. She walked out of the room quietly,
tears streaming down her eyes.
'Chotte'..
you shouldn't have said that,' Anjali said quietly, 'you know nani doesn't like
it when you bring that up.'
'Di,
I don't like bringing that up either,' Arnav countered, 'but that is the truth
isn't it? Mom put up with dad's autocracy all her life without complaint. If
she was a today's woman, I am sure she would have divorced him.'
'Mom
put up with dad because she loved him, Chotte,' Anjali said, appalled at her
brother's behaviour. 'And dad loved her too, in his own way. Compromise plays a
big part in a successful marriage.'
'You
should know.'
'What
is that supposed to mean?' she asked him sharply.
'Does
staying away from each other also play a part in successful marriage?' he said
before he could stop himself.
Looking
at Anjali's stricken face Arnav realized his mistake. 'I am sorry Di'.I didn't
mean ----'
'I
know exactly what you mean ---' Anjali said raising her hand, 'God! You know
how to shut people up effectively, don't you?'
'Di''
'I
will stop pestering you about rituals from now onward,' she said, her face
stoic, as she walked out of the room, leaving him standing there all alone.
Khushi
sat in the beautiful living room quietly listening to Shyam talk about his
work. She had once again tuned out, unable to muster up enough strength to even
listen, let alone talk. Akash had taken a dazed Payal on a tour of the Haveli,
reminding Khushi of her own feelings the first day she had come here looking
for Akash less than three weeks ago.
Anjali
walked up to them quietly with a smile that quiet didn't reach her eyes.
'Khushiji, let me show you to your room,' she said.
Suddenly,
they saw Arnav walking past, without looking once in their direction, his stride
aggressive as he banged the door shut
loudly, the sound echoing through the entire house.
Anjali
led Khushi up the ornate staircase, Shyam in tow, walking across the hallway to
finally open the door to the bedroom. The moment Khushi stepped into the
bedroom she realized she had left Rajasthan behind her.
This
room reminded her of her bedroom in the guest house in the sense that it had
similar classical mahagony furniture. But the similarity ended there.
While
the guest house room was red and bronze, this room was dark brown and cream.
The really large room, had walls painted in cream, with hardwood flooring and a
huge four poster bed dominating its centre. The comforter was also in brown
matching the numerous throw pillows arranged neatly in the middle of it. There
was a beautiful chaise lounge in cream near the French doors that looked more
like it was designed for style and elegance rather than comfort.
This
room was so --- Arnav ' completely
masculine.
But
there was one thing that caught Khushi's attention. One of the walls was
splattered with frames of black and white photographs clicked in foreign
locations.
'Those
were clicked by Chotte,' explained Anjali, her tone laced with pride. 'His SLR
camera is the one thing he never forgets when he travels.'
She
then turned toward her husband, 'Shyam, please give us a minute, will you? I would
like to talk to Khushiji alone.'
'Of
course, Rani Sahiba.' He said as he stepped out of the room.
'I
am so sorry Khushiji!' exclaimed Anjali tears filling up her eyes. 'If I knew
it will come to this I would never have suggested that you go out with Chotte.
'I
didn't realize about mamiji ''.and that Chotte will take such extreme steps'. I
am sorry.'
'Please
stop apologizing Anjaliji,' Khushi came up to Anjali and placed a comforting
hand on her shoulder. 'You suggested the plan because you wanted Akashji to be
happy. It was not your fault at all. I had a choice. I need not have taken you
up on that plan. But I did---for Payal's sake. And finally, what matters is
that they are going to get married. This was very important for Payal --- in
the condition she is in.
'The
truth is --- I did deceive Arnavji --- which led to all this.'
'But,
Khushiji'.' Anjali began.
'Anjaliji'..don't
worry about me'..I am fine.' She said smiling up at her.
Anjali
took her in her arms and said, 'I have a confession to make Khushiji'. I am
happy that you are my bhabhi' I meant what I said earlier'..I really can't
think of a better girl than you for my Chotte.'
After
Anjali left Khushi stood silently in the room, not having an idea what she was
supposed to do. Where was she to sleep? The elegant chaise lounge didn't look
very inviting but she decided that it would have to do. Khushi went into the
bathroom and changed into her old clothes. She put her Devi Maiyya on the night
stand, laid down on the chaise and immediately fell asleep.
Arnav
paced about in his cabin at the AR office in Bikaner. It was just 24 hours
since he had decided to marry and in these last 24 hours his life had already
turned topsy-turvy. First, the illogical conversation with mami, and then he
had ended being unnecessarily rude with nani and Di for wanting to follow
marriage rituals.
He
was so angry with himself right now. How were they to know that Khushi had only
married him for her sister's sake? When he had seen the woeful expression on
her face this morning he had felt like someone had just punched him in the
face. She had looked like a lamb being taken in for slaughter. And he'..?
He
had never wanted to get married '.at all. He just wasn't cut out for it. F@#$!He hadn't thought through this, had
he?
Khushi
woke up in the morning, feeling totally refreshed, as she stretched like a Cheshire
cat on the softest mattress she had ever slept on. Softest? She sat up to find herself on the big four poster bed. How
had she gotten here? Had he? She
looked around the room to see that the other side of the bed hadn't been slept
in.
She
slid off the bed and hurried into the bathroom to shower. Khushi hadn't really
looked at the bathroom the night before when she had come in to change. The
room, which was the size of her room back in Delhi, was tiled in beige with
cream marble on the counter and around the tub.
It had a separate glass enclosed shower area in one corner, complete
with a shower panel. The rectangular tub had a huge arched window by its side, decorated
by beautiful scented candles around it. Perfumed potpourri, fancy towels and a
decorative hand wash dispenser was placed on the long marble counter that had a
huge mirror that lined its entire length, above the sink.
As
Khushi stepped out of the bathroom, she found Anjali waiting for her. 'I came
here to give you this saree for today's ritual Khushiji,' said Anjali smiling
up at her. 'Today you will have to make a sweet dish for the entire family.'
The
saree was a beautiful red chiffon, dotted with gold sequins all over it and a
thin gold border.
'I
will --- only if you start calling me Khushi,' Khushi told her sister-in-law on
a whim.
'We
have a deal --' said Anjali, reminding Khushi of her brother, '--if you start
calling me Di.'
When
Khushi made a move toward the bathroom once again, Anjali went up to another
door a little ways from the bathroom. She opened it for her and said, 'You can
change in the walk-in closet Khushi. There should be enough room for your
clothes as well.'
When
Khushi entered the closet, she was awestruck. The room looked like a small men's
wear store. One long wall was lined with shelves, drawers and rods, filled with
suits, jackets, formal shirts, casual shirts, t-shirts, jeans, sportswear, shoes
with matching socks all immaculately arranged. More of the same was mirrored on
the opposite wall. Khushi took her case inside and put it on an empty shelf.
She decided to change into the saree.
Arnav
walked into the closet, taking off his shirt in one single movement. He was
just about to throw the shirt into the laundry basket when he found Khushi
standing at the other end, dressed only in her in'skirt and blouse, her hands
behind her back.
Khushi
froze when she found Arnav standing there shirtless. His body was completely
covered with sweat making it obvious he had just come from the gym, reminding
her of the first day she had met him.
Her
eyes moved on their own volition over the powerful broad shoulders, the strong
sinews of the biceps and forearms, the splattering of hair on the hard muscles
of his chest that tapered down the flat planes of his stomach, vanishing into
the waistband of the sweatpants riding low on his lean hips.
As
her heart began its erratic dhak-dhak, Khushi quickly moved her eyes up to look
into his own caramel ones, warm and alive, with a look --- she recognized too
well.
Arnav's
eyes were trained soft swell of her breasts visible above the neckline of her
tight blouse, as they moved in tandem with her erratic breathing, down to the
planes of her flat stomach, focussing on her delectable navel just above the
waistband of her in-skirt.
'What'.What
are you doing here?' Khushi stuttered and quickly turned around, exposing her
back, not realizing he could still see her through the full length mirrors on
the walls.
'This
is my closet if I am not mistaken,'
he said, huskily.
He began to saunter toward her slowly, his
eyes devouring her through the mirror. As he came up to stand behind her, her
entire body began to quiver and she closed her eyes, clutching the sides of her
in-skirt. Khushi gasped when she felt the light touch of his hands on her bare
back.
'It
is done,' he said, a catch in his throat.
Khushi
opened her eyes and realized that he had hooked up her blouse. She went beet
red with embarrassment and grabbed the saree from the shelf, clutching it to
her breasts.
'Khushi'.
I have seen you in less.' he said, as
he grabbed a towel before walking away from her.
Khushi
finally released her breath feeling a little bereft. God! She had wanted him to kiss her!
Arnav
stepped into the shower cubicle and let the cold water hit his overheated body.
For all the nonchalance he had displayed, he was in severe pain. His body had hardened
into a throbbing arousal the moment he laid eyes on her curvaceous bare midriff
and if Khushi was a more experienced woman she would have known.
He
was arrested by the slimness of her ribs, accentuated by the miniscule blouse, contrasting
with the gentle flare of her hips covered in the in-skirt, making him want to get
down on his knees and dip his tongue into the crevices of her navel.
I am marrying you for
Payal's sake and nothing else''.
Luckily,
the words she had told him yesterday came back in time to stop him.He hit his
palm against the tiles in frustration. F@#$! This just wouldn't do.
Khushi
stood in the kitchen making kesari bhaat ' the Rajasthani sweet delicacy, as a
part of her inception into the Raizada kitchen, from a recipe she had picked up
from Bhairav Chauhan.
She
served all members of the family, one after the other. Mamiji who had finally
decided to grace the occasion with her presence, refused to eat the sweet,
leaving Khushi a little dismayed.
Finally,
when she came up to Arnav, she changed the container, explaining it was made with
sugar-free.
Arnav
looked up at her, his eyes turning dark as he remembered the incident in the
guest house kitchen, when he had mentioned to her about his diabetes. Then his
eyes turned a shade darker as she bent a little to serve him the sweet rice. From
when had she started wearing a frigging nose ring? She looked utterly sexy. He
gritted his teeth as he saw her walk back to her chair, the creamy skin of her
back exposed by the wide cut blouse, her braid swaying in tandem with her hips.
F@#$! Never in a hundred years had he
ever imagined he would be ogling at a woman in a saree!
Unbeknownst
to Arnav, another pair of eyes watched Khushi in the same way, writhing in
frustration that the beauty in red belonged to his brother-in-law and not to
him.
A
little later, Khushi went into Payal's room to give her breakfast, as it was
decided unanimously that she would stay in to avoid a direct confrontation with
mamiji.Her morning sickness was becoming severe and Dr Manav had prescribed
medication to keep the nausea down so that she could manage to eat something
healthy. Soon, Akash came into the room and Khushi took her leave so she could
give them some privacy.
When
she came downstairs, Anjali informed her that naniji, mamiji and she were
planning to go to Bikaner to meet the panditji to get the dates for Akash and
Payal's wedding. Arnav was taking them there as he had some work in the office.
Khushi
went into the kitchen and began helping Hariprakash in the lunch preparation.
'Hariprakashji,
I was wondering if you could go and fetch my laundry for me?' asked Shyam
coming into the kitchen sometime later.
'But
Shyamji, the dry cleaner is far and I have to prepare lunch,' said Hariprakash,
'is it ok if I go and get it in the afternoon?' he asked him.
'No,
it is no ok,' grated Shyam. 'Would I be asking you if it was not urgent?'
'But
----' Hariprakash looked at Khushi helplessly.
'It's
alright Hariprakashji, I will manage lunch.' Khushi interposed trying to put
the flustered man at ease.
After
Hariprakash left, Shyam looked at Khushi, her back turned to him as she busied
herself with cooking.
'I am really sorry Khushiji,' he said
suddenly. When Khushi turned around, her eyebrows scrunched up in surprise, he
said, 'for all that had happened in this house.'
He
continued, 'Firstly, for Anjali's carelessness in sending you with Arnav after
knowing very well the kind of person he is. The problem is she can't see him
for what he is because she is so blinded by her sisterly love.
'Secondly,
for my brother-in-law's behaviour for which there is no excuse. I was just
going to convince mamiji in a couple of days. But what he did to you just
messed everything up. Seducing young girls and then discarding them is no big
deal for him.'
'Shyamji,'
said Khushi as the prickly feeling assailed her again, 'thank you for your
concern but please don't beat yourself over it anymore. I am fine.' She hoped
he would leave it at that.
'How
can you be fine Kushiji?' he persisted coming closer. 'He has entered into a
marriage with you and everyone in this house knows that he gives a damn about
it.
'If
he did -- would he have left you all alone yesterday night and spent the night with
someone else?'
'Please
Shyamji,' said Khushi taking a step backward, her heart twisted in excruciating
pain, 'I ---' Khushi heard the front door bell ring.
Shyam
went up to the main door and opened the door to see Anjali, mamji and Naniji
had returned.
'I
have good news,' Naniji said affably, 'Panditji has said there are some good
dates for Akash and Payal's wedding in a week's time.'
At
Khushi's silence Anjali said, 'Don't worry Khushiji...er..Khushi, now that you
will be there to help me we can do this easily.'
Though
Khushi couldn't help smiling at Anjali's enthusiasm, she was finding it
difficult to get rid of the pain lodged in the region of her heart.
That
night, as Khushi prepared for bed, Shyam's words came back to her.
Would he have left you
all alone yesterday night'.
She
smiled sadly as she recalled the circumstances of their marriage. Arnav had
married only for Akash's happiness and he was not going to sacrifice his life
treating this like a real marriage. She would be his wife in name only. But why
was this intuition not making it any easier on her heart? She took the blanket
and settled on the chaise.
'Get
back on the bed Khushi,' said Arnav walking into the room with his lap top. 'I
don't want to lose sleep wondering when you are going to topple off.'
'Then
why don't you go off to wherever you get "good" sleep,' came the muffled reply
from under the blanket. God! That had begun to bug her.
'Excuse
me?'
'I
am fine here,' she said a little louder, burrowing further into the corner.
Suddenly,
Khushi found herself being lifted off the chaise, as Arnav carried her and dumped
her unceremoniously on the bed. 'If you wanted to be in my arms, all you had to
do was ask,' he quipped, his mouth twisted in lop sided smile.
'Arnavji!'
Khushi's eyes flashed with anger as she scrambled off the high bed and stomped
toward the chaise.
'If
we had a competition for the number of times you walk back to the chaise and
the number of times I carry you back, I have this strangest feeling I am going
to win.' He drawled as he began walking toward her.
Khushi
scurried back to the bed without a fuss. She arranged the throw pillows in the
centre creating a wall between the two sides, and lay on the bed, muttering to
herself.
Had
she just called him Laad Governor? Arnav
wondered, looking at his wife's shapely figure under the blanket.
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