Chapter 9

hi readers, i thought of getting rid of your confusions soon. so here is the next chapter. Njoy, n do let me know what you think.

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CHAPTER 7

When she woke in the morning she found herself buried under husband. Last night's rendezvous and the weight of her husband didn't help at all with her body ache. With great difficulty she pulled herself out and went to get ready.

Meanwhile, in another room in Shativan, Khushi came out of the bathroom. She was drying her hair using the towel, when her eyes fell on Arnav, who was looking at her reflection in the mirror. She saw a soft smile playing on his lips. His early morning look was so boyish. He looked so different from the way he did in his professional attire. Khushi realized she was again starring at him and turned abruptly to avoid him. She was about to leave the room when she heard him.

Good morning Khushi.'

Good morning Arnavji, woh...ummm...Naniji must be waiting for me for the puja. I should be going.'

Saying that she left, closing the door behind her. Arnav sighed, getting up from the bed to finish his morning rituals.

When Khushi came down to the kitchen, she saw HP kneading the dough.

HP ji, aaj kya banana hain?'

Arre Khushi bhabhi, aaj chole puri banane hain. Anjali didi ne kal raat ko kahan tha.'

Acha thik hai. Main chole banadeti hoon. Waise di kahan hain?

Shayad kamre mein hongi. waise Khushi Bhabhi, Anjali didi aur Shyam jijaji aaj to Goa jane wale the na'

haan. I hope unki tabiyat thik hai. Main dekh ke aati hoon HP ji.'

She climbed the stairs leading to Anjali's room. She had to knock three times before she heard someone opening the door.

Arre Khushi ji, aap itni subah subah. Sab thi...' Shyam couldn't complete his sentence as he saw a gaping Khushi turning pink and running away.

I wonder what happened to her.' He thought while going back to bed to resume his sleep, when he his wife coming out of the bathroom.

Who was it Shyam ji. Aaahhh. Did you open the door like this? Are you out of your mind? Couldn't you have put on t shirt before opening the door?'

Anjali said pointing towards the numerous purple patches on his body. Shyam looked at himself and laughed, pulling his wife he said,

No wonder Khushi was scandalized and ran away. I didn't realize my demure wife turns into a wild cat during our love encounters. HAHAHAHA...Anjali come on, it's been two years we have been married and still u blush like a new bride. You very well know what happens to me when I see you blush like this.'

Shyam ji please, I need to go. Khushi was already here to call me. And we need to leave for the airport soon. Anyways it was good that the flights got cancelled yesterday and I could spend some time here. But we have to leave today so get ready quickly.' She smiled sweetly at him before leaving for breakfast.

In the kitchen, HP had been asking Khushi again and again as to why she looked like she run a marathon. He was worried if Khushi had some breathing issues.

HP ji why don't you set the table for breakfast, while Khushi and I would get the food.'

Both sisters in law were giving shy smiles to each other. They laid down the food on the dining table. Soon all came down. Akash saw his bhabhi n di giving shy smiles to each, his jeeju smirking looking at his wife and his bhai having a grim look on his face.

oh o... someone is going be introduced to the mighty ASR today.' He thought.

Arnav watched his wife whispering something to his di and smiling about it. He watched her casually talking to Aakash and then Nani. After serving all she went and sat near him. All through the breakfast she acknowledged all but him. He was getting frustrated now. What had he done that she was behaving so cold with him. Even last night when once they were done with dinner, though she silently followed him to their bedroom, however as soon as they reached she quickly took her clothes and disappeared in the bathroom. When she at last came out after 30 mins, she behaved as if she is too tired to even wish goodnight and slept on her side. These was the thought revolving in his mind.

He just stood up wishing all a bye and a safe trip to his sister and brother in law, he left for his office.

Even though Arnav was not rude, Khushi could feel, he was angry on her. Soon after Mamaji and Aakash too left for office and the three women and Shyam were left.

Damadji, at what time is your flight.'

Nanji we would leave in 2 hours for the aiport. Our flight is at 12 noon.'

Hmm... Khushi bitya can you make us another round of tea please.'

Ji Nani ji, I'll get it now.' Replying Khushi went into the kitchen.

I was thinking to send these two kids Arnav and Khushi on a honeymoon. They both still seem to have not broken the ice yet. I wish we could have send them with today itself. However Arnav will never leave me when you both are already out of delhi.'

You are right Sasuma, we should send them away soon. Or may be we can leave them alone here.'

O boy, I should really leave this place before these ladies pull me in one of their schemes. I am already guilty for playing along with them and getting Saale saheb married in haste.' Thought Shyam and so saying

Anjali I need to confirm all the arrangements so I will leave to make the phone calls now. Nani ji, let me know if you need something', he left for his room.

Yes, that's right. It was the combined planning and strategy of the three ladies wherein they pulled Shyam too, to get Arnav married that too as soon as possible. So Naniji is actually not ill but hearty and healthy. She could very well run a marathon if she wanted to. So now once their Arnav's marriage was fixed when they planned for his honeymoon, he had firmly refused that he would not leave Nani ji in this condition.

The ladies were now on a new mission ARNAV-KHUSHI-HONEYMOON. While whispering about what to do, Khushi came with tea and a fresh batch of sandwiches.

Khushi can you the tea to ur jeejaji. He is in our room.'

Ji di.' Saying so, Khushi again left the ladies alone. After giving Shyam the tea, she left for room.

Khushi was still sad about upsetting Arnav. She did understand what his frustration was, but she needed space to clear her mind. And she couldn't do that Arnav lurking near her.

Hey Devi Maiyya, what should I do? How do I explain to him my turmoil? What if he doesn't accept me with my past? What if he gets angry? But he does seem to be very understanding. Even mom said that Arnav ji seems to be very compassionate and sensitive towards me. Will he let me explain what I want to tell him. But I can't talk to him about my feeling in this environment. How do I ask him to give me some time to accept him as my husband? I have just had a break up from a relationship which I thought would be forever. I had entrusted that man with all myself. I had even allowed him to touch me as he pleases. What will Arnav ji think of me, when he comes to know about this?hey Devi Maiyya please help me. I will have to talk to him soon.'

Here Khushi was debating about how to disclose her past to her husband, and there in office Arnav was in a dilemma if his wife was forced to marry him. He had noticed her easiness with all but him. Even with HP she was cheerful. But whenever she was with him, she seemed to be so cold and indifferent. Although they did share some moments, but they were very short and not the ones that could confirm if she was comfortable around him. May be she is shy. Or maybe she was actually forced by her mother to marry him. He really had to talk to Khushi before he gets migraine thinking about all these. He knew that theirs was an arranged marriage and girls take time to settle in, but she seemed to have settled well with all. Also why did she want to stay back at her mom's place yesterday?

Arnav was going bonkers with all these thoughts. He needed to get khushi out of the house to talk to her about all this. Damn...he couldn't even take her on a honeymoon now, that would have helped him break the ice between them. May be he can take her out for a dinner.

Half an hour later, Khushi came down and sat with Nani n mamiji. After much hesitation she asked them,

Nani ji, woh...ummm...woh... Arnav ji had called and... asked me to be ready by 7. He wanted to take me out for dinner. Is that ok? Can I go with him? Its ok if you don't want me to. Or may be we all can go out together.'

Naniji smiled and said

Its ok bitya, anyways I had to talk to you both about me, Manorama and Manohar leaving for a marriage this evening. Its in Lucknow. My Cousin from Lucknow had called now. Her Grandson is getting married has invited us all. But Chote wouldn't come with us and leave his office work behind, so we were planning to leave. And it would be not good to leave Chotte alone here so may be you can stay back to give him company. I was thinking to take Aakash also with me as he might be of great help during the wedding. So maybe you both can go out for dinner after dropping us at the airport.'

But u are not well. So how will you travel? Arnav ji will never allow to step foot out of the house.'

Ah haan... u seem to know your Arnavji very well by now.' Nani ji teased Khushi.

Bitya, I am fine and anyways we are travelling by air using our private jet so there won't be any hassles. And in Lucknow I won't be doing nothing but enjoying. So don't worry. Manohar, Manorama and Aakash will be there with me. So there is nothing to worry about.'

Khushi just nodded her head.

Soon it was time for Anjali and Shyam to leave for Goa. After lunch both of them bid adieu. While the Naniji and Mamiji were busy packing the boys reached home. When Mamaji had told Arnav about there travel plans for Lucknow, he was against naniji travelling. But after lot of assurances he agreed. So here they were, back from office early, to prepare for their travel.

Khushi helped Nani ji with her packing. And then she got busy in kitchen with making early dinner and packing some snacks for her in laws. Around six in the evening everybody sat down for an early dinner. Arnav confirmed all the travel arrangments. At seven, both Arnav and khushi drove Naniji and Aakash to the airport where as Mohan(their driver) drove Mama ji and Mamiji.

After leaving them at the departure gate Arnav asked Mohan to leave and told him that he has off for the next three days. He also told him to inform HP about the same. Then with a smirk on his face, he turned to Khushi, who was looking everywhere but him. She had soon realized that now they would be the only ones in the house.