Chapter 5

Arnav was sitting at the poolside not believing what he had just heard. He thought that Khushi's behaviour was not out of force, but because she needed time to adjust to the new life and understand the sacred relationship that they share, but the problem was worse than he thought; she was forced to marry him. Now the question was, did her parents force her? And why? 'Khushi has all the rights to ignore me if she is forced! But what's my fault? Why did she accuse me? I don't understand anything!' He was about to call Khushi's father, but he stopped; first, he needed to know what Khushi knows and what she thinks of him. He sighed closing his eyes as he rested his head on the chair, but Khushi's words echoed in his ears not leaving him in peace.

'Because of this forced marriage I have to live up to all people's expectations and not live my own life as I want anymore.'

'Because of this forced marriage'

'Forced marriage'

__

Khushi folded everything and put the boxes beside her clothes, which were still in the bags, in a corner. She sat on the edge of the bed recalling what happened just minutes ago. This was not the lively Khushi, the polite Khushi who respects people. In her whole life, she had never heard her Amma raising her voice in front of her Babuji. She knows that a woman must respect and obey her husband; this is what she learned, and what she intended to do whenever she had thought of herself as someone's wife before, but she just could not come to terms to accept Arnav as her husband though they are married.

She felt miserable.

Khushi's phone, which Arnav gifted her at their sangeet, rang halting her thoughts. Seeing Payal's name on the screen brought a faint smile to Khushi's face as she needed to talk with someone she loves. "Hey, Payal," Khushi greeted. Payal was more than a best friend for Khushi, more than a cousin; they were soul sisters.

"Hello, Khushi," Payal greeted back. She called knowing that Khushi needed her, but she did not want to open the topic of marriage with her, rather she thought of changing the topic not wanting to distraught Khushi any longer. "Do you know the latest news? A proposal came for Priyanka?" Payal said meaning to tell Khushi that she was not the only girl to get married at a young age especially nowadays.

"Really? Priyanka? What about her studies? Who told you?" Khushi asked not forgetting for a second what happed with her. She did not believe the news as Priyanka was a very good student.

"Yes. Preeto told me this morning. She said that the marriage is after a month. Priyanka is going to complete her studies after marriage." Khushi, Payal, Priyanka and Preeto were close friends. Their friendship was the talk of their school all the time. Other students used to call them 'Khush and The Trio Ps', and sometimes they tell Khushi, 'What are you doing among the Ps? Find a K to befriend!' It was just for amusement not meaning to separate them, but all wanted to be a part of their group. 'Those days have ended with no return,' Khushi thought with a tug in her heart.

"Bata hai Khushi, the college has accepted me! I can't believe this. When are you going to sent your registration request?" Payal asked.

"I don't know, Payal….I don't know if I want anything anymore." Khushi said brokenly.

"But, what about your dreams. You used to say that Khushi Kumaari Gupta will take the Indian outfits to another level internationally to let the world know who is India!" Payal imitated Khushi, "what happened to that Khushi?"

"That was Khushi Kumaari Gupta."

"Dear, no one knows what will change in the future. And you always say it's not the name which is powerful but the person himself."

"Maybe I was wrong."

"My Khushi does not speak like this."

"Your Khushi have been buried somewhere inside me." Khushi was on the verge of crying.

"Khushi tell me how come you preferred designing on literature?….I mean with the amount of books you have one must say you'll study English literature." Payal diverted the conversation successfully.

"Literature is my passion, but designing is my creativity….I'll tell you in Anton Chekhov's language Designing is my lawful husband while literature is my lover!"* Khushi giggled at her choice of words forgetting everything around her for a while. Arnav was about to step in the room through the French door of the poolside when he heard Khushi's voice.

'Designing and Literature! What a combination! Using Anton Chekhov's language too! Khushi is surely something,' He noticed the books on Khushi's studying table the other day hence he recognize her love for literature, but it seemed it was more than what he thought. And when talking about designing, he remembered how her room looked, simple yet elegant. There was no room for wonderment in his mind after listening to her words. 'But is not it great that he loves reading, and she loves designing? It is mind-blowing!' He was happy to find something in common between them. He wanted to start with this to communicate with her and get to know her. Khushi's giggle echoed in Arnav's mind for some time. He really wished to hear it often, but…..he needed patience.

"Okay. I'll talk to you later. My Khushi is someone's wife, and has responsibilities towards her in-laws now. Bye."

"Call you later. Bye, Payal." Khushi sighed. 'Payal? Is she the same girl? She is a kind girl and Khushi seems to love her very much.' Arnav made a mental note to ask Payal to visit Khushi from time to time.

"Khushi, it's dinner time. Will you come downstairs?" As Arnav was asking Khushi to join the family, Hari Prakaash knocked on the door asking Arnav if he wanted the dinner to be served as Nani asked Hari Prakaash to take it to Arnav's room for it was their first day after marriage, and they needed those days to spend together, know each other and cherish the moments. Arnav asked Hari Prakaash to serve it knowing that Khushi must be tired and hungry after the reception.

Arnav put the tray on the coffee table before the recliner, and closed the door behind Hari Prakaash. "Khushi, you must be hungry. You haven't eaten anything since morning." Arnav said. He did not want to eat alone as he did not want Khushi to get used to want by herself; he wanted to share everything with her because their lives became one. Khushi felt really hungry that she silently joined him, 'What if I hate him? I just can't harm myself and stop eating.' Khushi could not swallow the food easily as she did not wish sharing him.

After dinner, Arnav checked his mails on the poolside giving Khushi a chance to be alone hoping she would clear her thoughts. When he finished, he stepped in the room finding Khushi sitting on the bed with a book in her hands. He stared at her for some time, but she was too engrossed in the book to notice his presence. He read the title of the book which read 'The Merchant of Venice' by William Shakespeare.

"It's a nice play I must say." Khushi was startled to hear Arnav. She felt awkward as the memories of their last conversation were still fresh in her mind.

"Yes," She tried hard to be calm.

"Shakespeare has done a great job in it. Every character was portrayed amazingly. Did not you read it before?" Anav read it before and he could speak for hours about it.

"No, I did not have a chance." Khushi replied giving Arnav an urge to talk with her with the play as an excuse.

"Shakespeare talked about the Jewish in Europe and how they were hated as the were dealing with moneylending. He also focused on women rule in the society as Portia pretended to be a male lawyer……….," Arnav spoke telling Khushi about the play. She was surprised as she did not expect that from him that she listened to him. Arnav was glad to be able to grab her attention. He knew that they were not book warms for nothing, but it's the destiny which wanted to bring them together. Khushi just wet wit the flow listening to Arnav's wonderful description for the story.

Anton Chekhov: A Russian writer, dramatist and physician. Two of his masterpieces are The Bet and The Lament. When he was asked about his job as physician, he said, 'Medicine is my lawful wife while literature is my mistress.

Shaimaa