Chapter 3

                              CHAPTER 2: DIVORCED

 

Khushi spent a long time rearranging the apartment. This mindless work was helping her in distraction from her hopelessly sad situation. She knew she wont be able to avoid the black holes in her life for long but she hoped to deal with them as they came. She just began dusting the living room when the bell rang loudly. She hoped it wasnt some annoying neighbour fishing for gossip. She opened the door and came face to face to face with the person she least expected to see. It was Arnav. Her breath caught up in her throat. It had been quite long since she had last seen him even though they used to live in the same house. His black silky hair lay tousled across his forehead, his perfect jawline was clenched tensely. He looked as handsome as ever. His brown eyes looked at her in an intense gaze. He slowly took his steps towards her. Khushi backed away from the door and backed her steps into the living room slowly but Arnav closed in the distance between them and stopped a few inches away from her. Khushi lowered her gaze but she could still feel Arnav's eyes on her. She caught hold of the corner of the table next to her and steadied herself. His closeness still had the same effect on her. That part hadnt changed. Khushi waited for Arnav to speak but when he didnt say anything, Khushi decided to break the silence.

Khushi sighed,"Did you come to give me the divorce papers I sent?"

"No, I tore them up."

Khushi raised her head surprised at Arnav's words,"Why would you do that?"

"Because I dont want to end our marriage. You are my wife and you will remain my wife till my last breath. You will come home with me right now."

Khushi gave a sarcastic laugh," There is no home left to go to Arnav. There is nothing left of our marriage now. It will be easier on both of us to get separated rather than stay together unhappily."

Arnav closed his eyes in pain,"It wont be like that now. Khushi, I know I have not been a good husband to you. I did wrong but dont punish me like this. Dont take yourself away from me. I need you.."

Khushi's eyes grew sad,"I cant just forget the past year of my life. Only I know what I have been through. I cant go back to that. I am not strong enough to live through that again."

Arnav moved closer and caught Khushi's hand in his and held in against his heart, "Please Khushi..I love you."

Khushi pulled her hand away and turned away from him. Tears ran down her face ,"I dont want to hear it Arnav. Please just go, I cant deal with this anymore. Please leave Arnav."

Arnav's heart broke hearing Khushi's words. He never felt so defeated and helpless in his life. He turned to leave but Khushi stopped him. He turned around; his face filled with hope but Khushi's expression was still the same. She went inside and brought out another copy of the divorce papers. She put the papers on the table and handed Arnav the pen. Arnav's heart fell knowing that he was failing but he wasnt ready to give up.

Arnav stubbornly refused," I wont sign them Khushi."

Khushi shrugged," Arnav, its going to happen either way. If you dont sign them then I'll apply for the divorce on grounds of mental cruelty. Then I wont need your consent. But I don't want to end our marriage like that. It will be more civil to get a divorce by mutual consent. Its your choice."

Khushi was aware how much her words must have hurt him but he was making things difficult by being stubborn. She needed to break away from him once and for all. She didn't want to go back to being his wife after all that he had done to her. Arnav took the pen from her and signed the papers. His face appeared oddly calm now. It was like he was suddenly okay with getting divorced. He looked at her for a few seconds and then turned to leave. Once Arnav left, Khushi fell to the floor and broke down into tears. It was all over. They were no longer together.

...

2 weeks passed and finally the date of the hearing approached. Nothing had changed for Khushi. The time apart from Arnav did not make things easier as she hoped. She waited outside the courthouse for her lawyer to arrive. 10 mintues later, Karan arrived.

Karan looked apologetic," Sorry I am late Khushi. Got stuck in traffic. Shall we proceed."

"yes, lets go."

Karan escorted Khushi to the Judge's chambers. He had arranged for a private hearing on Khushi's request. They entered the room and found Arnav and his lawyer already seated at the desk and the Judge sitting at the head of the table. Karan handed the copy of the petition to the judge who perused through it briefly. The judge looked up at Khushi," Ms. Gupta, are you in favour of divorcing Arnav Singh raizada?"

Khushi paused for a moment. She had anticipated this moment for a long time yet it was very hard for her to say the words. She nodded her head in affirmation. The judge turned to Arnav, "Mr. raizada, are you in favour of divorcing Ms. Gupta?"

Arnav looked at Khushi and spoke without any hesitation,"No"

Khushi looked up at Arnav appalled. The judge continued, "Mr. Raizada, are you withdrawing your consent to this divorce proceeding?"

Arnav kept his eyes on Khushi and nodded. The judge smothered a smile and concluded,"In that case, I cannot grant an immediate divorce. But since Ms. Gupta hasn't withdrawn her consent, I cannot revoke the petition either. My proposal here would be to postpone the proceedings for the next 7 months and in the meanwhile order both of you to stay together for this period of 7 months and try to work things out. If after these 7 months, you still feel that your differences cannot be reconciled then I will have no choice but to grant divorce"

Khushi looked at the judge in disbelief. She wanted her and Arnav to live together for 7 months under the same roof. She got up from her chair in dissention,"You cant order us to live together. I don't agree to all this."

The judge firmly addressed Khushi, "Ms. Gupta, disobeying an active order of the court is regarded as contempt. Surely you would like to rethink your words"

Khushi back down frustrated with all that was happening. Arnav smirked seeing Khushi so angry. After they came out of the room, Khushi walked up to Arnav with an annoyed look on her face, "What the hell was that Arnav?"

Arnav gave her a cocky smile,"What happened is that I tricked you."

Khushi gritted her, "You signed the divorce papers so that I wouldn't file for divorce on my own and then you could withdraw your consent and get the judge to postpone the proceedings."

Arnav smiled," Very clever Khushi. Too bad you didn't figure it out before. So no matter how much you hate it, you will have to stay with me for the next 7 months. Anyways, have a lot to do so we'll continue this little fight later. See you at home wifey."

Before Khushi could say anything further, Arnav leaned in and kissed her cheek and then walked away. Khushi was lost for words. Khushi turned to Karan who was trying to control his laughter. Khushi grew exasperated," You think this is funny?"

Karan laughed, "Sorry Khushi but come on, you have to admit this is kinda funny."

Khushi glared," Well I don't."

Karan sighed," Khushi!! You only wanted Arnav to go back to being the old cocky Arnav who loved you a lot. Then why are you getting so angry now? Isnt this what you want?"

Khushi's eyes grew sad, "Yes, I wanted that but I cant do this. You wont understand my reasons and neither do you know anything about what Arnav did to me."

Karan side hugged her," Hey, I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad or anything. You are right Khushi, I may not be fully aware of your circumstances but you are still in love with him. Then why not give your marriage another chance."

Khushi's mind flashed to the wedding day...

Gupta house was streaming with guests. Everyone were excited for the wedding. Khushi was very happy. She was on cloud nine. Today, she would officially be Mrs. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada.

Khushi was dressed beautifully in red and green coloured sequenced lehenga. Her veil was netted covering her forehead. She had appropriate amount of make up with hair tied in loose bun with little curls swaying near her ears.

Mrs. Gupta entered her room smiling with little tears, "khushi, you look beautiful. I will miss you. Arnav is a great guy. I know he will always make you happy."

Khushi hugged her mother," thank you mom. And please don't make me all senti now."

"lets go. Its time."

Khushi was walking down with her mother her eyes searching for just one man, her love, her life, her Arnav. Arnav was standing in the mandap dressed in his white sherwani smiling at her. Their eyes met and whole world seemed to vanish. All they could see or feel was love for each other. They felt that they both were reason for each other's existence. khushi just kept walking looking into his eyes which spoke volumes, which held dreams of being together, which had promises made to each other.

Khushi was out of trance when she heard coughing sound of people around her making her blush. She walked towards arnav. Arnav offered her his hand smiling at her and she took it without any hesitance.

Both were seated next to each other. They kept stealing glances. They were hardly aware of people around them. They were lost in their own small world. The rituals began. They took seven vows.

Vow 1

To take care and hold responsibilities of each other

Vow 2

Together to protect and be each others strength

Vow 3

To love each other rest of the life

Vow 4

To shower joy and please each other in every way

Vow 5

Always stand beside each other in times of sorrow and support each other

Vow 6

Always be at each other's side forever without any complains

Vow 7

Love, honour and cherish each other forever.

Arnav and khushi looked at each other while taking vows. Arnav tied manglasutra round her neck and put vermillion on her forehead. They were pronounced husband and wife.

Khushi sighed," how wish you had lived upto those vows Arnav..how I wish"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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