One Shot

Arnavji had been testing her patience in the worst possible ways for the past 1 week. And His Majesty was here since morning riling her up while she stressed over her lack of tea, water, food, electricity….

“Well, who am I kidding? He’s been testing my patience since I met him. I didn’t even know I had endless supply of this virtue before I met ‘yours annoyingly’ ” muttered Khushi as she pooled in her sundry water reserves from various pots and pans into a larger pot.

Still not enough! She frowned at the half full pot viciously.” If only I could push that gorgeous head into this pot. It will at least raise the water level… perhaps temperature too”

Arnav leaned against the kitchen counter hearing his wife muttering curses for him, an indulgent smile on his face.

The return of dhak dhak and acidity with vengeance! Her own heart and body are a traitor. She turned away from that mesmerizing gaze with difficulty.

Arnav stared exasperatedly at her. “Why can’t you just come with me? “

“ Well I won’t. Aap kya kar lenge” she challenged. Her hands on her waist.

ASR opened his mouth to say something but closed it immediately like a landed fish. Khushi’s eyes and face were wild with emotions. The ferocious red of her face was slowly creeping onto her neck.

Her bosom heaved up and down as she took in lungful of air. She pointed her index finger at him and he mentally stomped on an insane desire to just move forward and kiss that pretty finger and put it to other better uses.Later ASR..Later! He told himself comfortingly and turned his attention to the fireworks.

“ You” She flicked her bangs furiously “ Mr Raizada!  You have made my life hell. Can’t live with you ..can’t live without you! Marrying me for 6 months ..torturing me and yourself over a misunderstanding that a child would turn its back on! And after we’re back from a harrowing life threatening experience, you have to go and accuse me of enticing your very much married brother in law!  That my presence and words caused your sister to try and abort her child at a 7 months advanced stage? How could you …?”

His heart clenched at the agony in her being.

Arnav tried to pull her close, to comfort her but she moved back rejecting his touch. He curled his fists into a ball dropping defeated hands to his sides.

Averting his eyes from her hurt gaze, he attempted an apology “ I know I was out of line Khushi. I shouldn’t have ..”

Khushi continued her tirade as if he had never spoken in between, looking directly into his eyes “ I am the biggest mistake … you are sorry that you ever met me…. “

A tear rolled down her pallid cheek. Arnav rushed to comfort her, words failing him. Khushi moved away refusing his touch once again.

Arnav began to panic. Quick damage control was needed.“Khushi , I did not mean a word of that bullshit. I was just…..”

Khushi cut him off again “You did… you meant every word of it. You did not let me say a word by way of explanation.”

“Khushi…”

“How does it matter if we separate today or after 12 days?”

“We are never going to separate! You hear me? Never!” ASR thundered.

Laad governor was back to screaming. Khushi was tired of these never ending arguments.

She plonked on the sofa in front of the TV to lament over her fate. No electricity, no TV and no Kamlesh Khabri… hey Devi Maiyya.

ASR took strange comfort in watching her muttering curses for him under her breath. At least she was being Khushi….

“Khushiji………..Khushiji” Khushi furrowed her brows in confusion. Arnavji was behind her in the kitchen what is he doing at the main door?What happened to his voice? Hey devi Maiyya why a ‘ji’ after my name?

Happyji stood awkwardly shuffling on his feet at the door.

“Khushiji, I am sorry to intrude, but Damadji’s SUV is blocking the driveway of my garage. If he could … err… just shift it a bit…” he trailed off

Arnav walked out to do the needful.

Silently thanking Happyji, Khushi rushed to lock the door.

She clasped her hands in glee. Laad governor is locked out. No one to disturb her peace of mind. He had gone away with his suit, boot and SUV…. Away from her vicinity. But why didn’t she feel the elation she wanted to feel at this thought?

Her tummy growled. She re-evaluated her stock of water. Just enough to make tea and still have some left for cooking lunch.

She had finished her tea, made her bed and arranged her wardrobe. Arnavji was not back… still. He had given up the chase it seems.

Absent minded she turned on the tap and water gushed out in full force. He had reinstated water supply. Tentatively she switched on the fan and sure enough electricity was back too” laad governor itne bhi bure nahihai” she mused fondly.

Where is he? Why isn’t he breaking the front door down yet?Has he finally given up and went back? He no longer wants her back even if for just 12 days. Apparently she isn’t worth fighting with or for!

Khushi had a long refreshing bath and washed all the dirty clothes at Buaji’s house. She beat and scrubbed them with vengeance. How dare they get dirty?

A long while and 3 buckets of clothes washing later, she stepped out into the tempting aroma of samosa, jalebi and poha .

She was hallucinating about Arnavji and food… All her heart’s desire at buaji’s humble dining table.

Khushi gulped. Arnavji and the breakfast looked tempting in her imagination.

Arnav gulped. Khushi looked even more tempting in real than when he hallucinates her.

Her face clean and fresh, her damp hair lightly coiled in a towel were dripping water over her thin worn out white kurti. The outline of her underclothes visible. The buckets of washed clothes at her feet.

ASR abandoned his half full cup of black coffee and walked towards her . Khushi walked backwards. Their own personal dance.

“The clothes, for drying….” Khushi tried distracting him.His eyes had not moved an inch from her face and form.

ASR continued to corner her. Khushi flushed at his ardent gaze. They were back in her room now.

Khushi quickly covered her bosom with the towel covering her hair.

“why are you back? How did you come in? why can’t you leave me alone? After 12 days, I am Khushi…”

“Kumaaaariii Guptaaa…AA” ASR mimicked her tone from Akash and Payal’s mehndi ceremony. "I know. but today you are my wife."

Khushi glared at him.

“Khushi, lets have breakfast and then go home.” ASR pulled her closer, his tone placating.

“No”. Khushi angrily pushed his hand away

“Don’t you dare Khushi…” his eyes hardened.

Khushi threw the hapless towel back on the bed with vengeance. She was ready for the screaming match.

Arnav looked at her longingly. The offending towel was not spoiling his view anymore. She had no idea how delectable she looked . The pendant of her Mangalsutra was stuck in her cleavage.

“Khushi…” he whispered

She looked into his suddenly soft eyes and clutched her head with both hands in a dramatic gesture of acute agony.

“Hey devi maiyya. What were you thinking when you were writing my love story. Why did I have to go and fall for a man who has no sense of decorum. “

ASR watched her antics with fascination. She had muddled his head and no coherent thought existed.

Khushi paced the length of her room , still clutching her head “He can’t speak a few sweet words to save his life and one day he will kill me with his blow hot blow cold attitude. He….. mfff”

Khushi’s startled eyes looked into his twinkling ones. His lips had captured hers. Pushing her back on the bed he continued to kiss her ravenously. Khushi did not push him away. Her hands tentatively closed over his back, her fingers threaded through his hair enjoying their thick luxuriousness.

ASR let go of her lips “ you taste minty”

“colgate toothpaste” Khushi blushed prettily. ASR laughed

“So.. a love story… hmmm Khushi? Who is the hero of your story? “His nose rubbed her cheek. His warm breath smelling of black coffee and his musky sandalwood fragrance washed over her senses. They were half lying on the bed, their legs dangling over the edge. His hands on either side of her body and his chest lightly brushing hers.

Arnavji is trying to kill her. Khushi mulled dreamily over his proximity, his mussed hair, his longing looks. Had he really kissed her? She touched her lips to check if they were still there or had melted away like she had. Her first kiss ..from her Arnavji . she smiled slightly.

Arnav looked at her. Her wide hazel eyes, her blush, her messed hair, her red kissable lips, her heaving bosom, the play of emotions on her adorable face. But the sight of her lazy smile as she touched her lips was his undoing.

He captured her lips again, this time, slowly. He wanted to savor this moment. He had dreamt of kissing her ever since she fell into his arms in Sheesh Mahal. Khushi’s thoughts were incoherent. The towel below her was wet and her hair were making the mattress wet, Arnavji was warm and deliciously heavy over her. His warm hands now respected no boundary. His lips moved oh so smoothly over hers. His tongue dived into the recesses of her mouth. And she began kissing him back . She was a fast learner after all.

Arnav shifted some more to lie more comfortably over Khushi taking care to not crush her. His hands traced her curves resting on her bosom ,giving a light squeeze. Khushi pulled him closer , artlessly encouraging him.He did not disappoint and freely explored the curves and dips of her body and then some more.

In throes of their frenzied kiss they rolled over the bed and Khushi was now lying over him, kissing him with passion he had always known she possessed.

they took a moment’s respite and then kissed each other again with renewed fervor.

Many moments later they were lying exhausted beside each other,their lips swollen, breathing uneven, hair mussed up! Khushi’s kurta was hiked up showing hint of her waist. Arnav’s waistcoat was open, the shirt was crushed and open to his navel.

“Arnavji..” Khushi whispered and looked at him.

“Khushi… I am just a thin thread away from breaking all barriers. Don’t look at me like this and tempt me”

She stared at him wide eyes. They sat on the bed facing each other.

“Would you kiss a man who’s not your husband? Eh.. Khushi?”he traced her lips with his thumb.

Khushi turned a beetroot red. She looked away for a minute to compose herself and looked back into his eyes.

Arnav was taken aback. Gone was the passion, the love. She looked sad, beaten, defeated.

He urgently cupped her face in his large hands, gently massaging her scalp , her ears , her cheeks, wanting to comfort her. He hoped that she would voice her misery.

“Arnavji, we are unequal and opposite. You are rich… very rich and you think I am the kind of wife who would throw away her respect and come to her husband for a mere 24000 to put a roof over her family. Unfortunately, this is true. I.. “She flushed and continued “.. my father is terminally ill and the fact is that we can’t even afford a decent roof. …”

Her anguish was eating into his conscience. He wanted to vehemently deny but let her continue lest she goes back into her shell of ‘happiness personified’ once again.

“I would have come back to your house after some more threats…. Anyway, I have no option. Else people will look down upon my family who has an estranged daughter. You have killed all my options. I will come….”her eyes brimming with tears. “ Even though Di, Mami, Nani, Jiju… all of them don’t want me there..“ Her bosom heaved in an effort to contain her sob.

Arnav’s heart clenched at the helplessness of her situation and how he was the perpetrator.

“Jiju and Jiji’s relationship is strained. Di is not talking to you. She does not want to see me…..” hot tears spilled over his thumb resting on her cheek. “I feel suffocated.. unwanted. “

She shrugged his hands away.

Arnav felt deprived at the loss of touch. He felt ashamed and disgusted with himself.

“I am sorry Khushi… I” he stopped as he was at a loss for words , not for the first time in his life.

They moved to the dining table. Khushi reheated everything. Arnav watched her broodingly. She looked morose.

Khushi prepared his black coffee and a low fat sandwich. Buaji now kept her kitchen stocked with Arnav bitwa’s palate preferences.

Breakfast was a quiet affair.

Arnav  thought furiously all through the meal. Khushi ate her favorite food silently.

They sat side by side at the dining table looking at their empty plates. Each in their own world of thoughts and agony, until Arnav broke the silence, still thinking “Khushi! I don’t want to alarm the families. But I have appointed guards around this house.”

 In the next couple of minutes, Arnav shared with Khushi how he was getting Shyam personally investigated, how he had tightened security around both the residences. Khushi could make out that Arnavji was keeping out a lot of intricate details away from her to not worry her unduly. She understood and accepted his version.

Khushi cleared the table and stood behind Arnav. She was still upset with him.

“lets not share anything yet to our family here. But please know that they are being watched ….. for protection” it warmed her heart how he referred to the Guptas as his own family.

He suddenly pulled her to sit on his lap.

“Khushi, I am not a lost cause… yet. Pls don’t give up on me and my family. “he stopped and hesitated.

Khushi knew what he would say next would not be very pleasant by the way his lips pursed, his eyes caught fire.

“I have just conjured up this plan….a plan to bring Shyam into the house again. Keep him close to watch him better. Lull him into a false sense of security. What do you think?”

“No Arnavji. We can’t risk Di’s safety”

“he wouldn’t dare to pull any stunt. In fact, I suspect Di is secretly meeting him outside our knowledge and that is more dangerous.”

Khushi buried her face further into his chest “I know you will make everything OK”

His heart clenched at the innocent unshakable faith she had in him.”I want you away from RM until I expose Shyam. We’ll think of a way to explain your extended stay here to our families.”

It was time for him to go. He looked at the delectable bundle on his lap. She looked at him with so much trust and concern.

“Arnavji! Will you promise to stay safe?”

“I will Khushi… and I promise to bring you back with band baaja baraat …. soon. Till then this temporary husband is at your service.”

He bent to take her lips again for a passionate toe-curling kiss.

“I am sorry about everything Khushi and every day from now till I live, I will try to make it up to you”

“Sounds like a plan” Khushi grinned and hugged her laad governor tighter.

The laughter died down and Khushi wanted to be sure. She continued “will you remarry me with all rasams? Again?”

“Yes”

“Will you ask me to get out whenever we argue in car?”

“never. Never again... Khushi… I am sorr”

Khushi didn’t let him continue.

“Will you blame me for straying other men, who might get attracted to me in future… or were attracted to me in past?”

“Khushi… pls don’t..”

“Will you blame me if your sister, brother, Nani, Dadi,Mami, Mama, other relations are going through a bad time…...! Will you let your other relations blame me? “

“NEVER”

“Will you let me defend myself against accusations as I deem fit? Will you let me follow my heart…? “

“Khushi.. you are free to do as you please in your life.Just let me be a part of your life…. please”

“Will you come and tell me if and when you are embarrassed and tired of me and want to separate?”

Arnav stared at her, rushing with a response.

“Khushi... I will be very proud to have a partner like you.I want to grow old with you. Have children with you…”

“IF. YOU. WANT.TO.SEPERATE. WILL.YOU.TELL.ME?”

“Yes. I will. Although I will never want to separate from you”

“And Arnavji, I will allow you to separate from me. You must also allow me the same without resorting to blackmail. Will you?” her gaze honest and direct.

Arnav took a deep breath. He stared at her.

“Yes Khushi! I will”

She was still on his lap.

“Khushi … will you kiss me before I leave home every day “He asked with twinkling eyes. “C’mon Khushi. I get to put in some clause as well.”

“Yes, I will”

“I need to leave now. Will be back in the evening….” Arnav said and waited. Khushi did not disappoint ….. ever .