Chapter 36

It had been nearly 4 days since Arnav and Khusi had landed in Paris. Throughout the day Arnav would be busy with the work related to the fashion week and also some other business assignments. He would spent all day in the AR office at Paris attending meetings, signing deals and looking over at the work pertaining to Fashion week. So Khusi would have to sit idly in the hotel suite, sometimes would chat with family back in India or would just watch TV. Arnav would really be busy with his business stuff and could barely find time for Khusi and in the evening after returning to the room he would be so tired that he would fall asleep instantly.

Tomorrow is the last day of Paris Fashion Week and AR being a big brand was supposed to cat-walk its models on the final day. So, Arnav after finishing all his works returned early to their suite so that he can spend some time with his wife which he had been desperately been waiting for. But when he entered the room, he had expected Khusi to be sitting in the waiting room waiting for him to return but she was not there... surprised he went in and saw her laying on the small cushion sofa near the low window and looking outside. He walked to her with a broad smile but a glance at her face wiped away his smile. He sat beside her worried and enquired: "What has happened Khusi? Why are you crying? What's wrong...?"

Khusi wiped away the tears and not looking into his eyes said: "You are back... you came so early... you freshen up... I will get you coffee."

She was about to walk away when Arnav held her hand making her stop. He pulled her to make her sit on his lap and cupping her face said: "What is wrong Khusi? Why are you crying? Did anything happen? Please tell me..."

Listening to him more tears made way from Khusi's eyes and Arnav not knowing what the problem was and what to do hugged her trying to console her. "Please tell me Khusi... you know I don't like to see you crying. Why are you crying dear? What happened?"

Khusi not able to control herself moved away from Arnav and in an angry tone said: "YOU HAPPENED. YOU DON'T LOVE ME ANYMORE."

Arnav puzzled to what Khusi was saying: "What are you saying... why you feel that I don't love you... I love you a lot Khusi... I..."

Khusi: "NOO... YOU DON'T... you have been avoiding me since we have landed here, you have been keeping yourself busy... you don't even have time to talk to me... you leave the room even before I wake up and return late and sleep... you..."

Arnav realised that he has not been able to spend any time with her and obviously it would have hurt her. She is away from family and the whole day she has been sitting alone in this room and would have been bored. He tried to hug her again but she walked away from him. He was about to say something but Khusi spoke: "I know I don't meet your standards. I know I am middle-class girl that is why you don't want me to accompany you to anywhere... that is why you didn't want to bring me here with you but I was forced upon you because Naniji forced you to... Why did you bring me here? You should have left me in Delhi itself and you could have enjoyed your time with the models here... at least I would have lived with the impression that my husband only loves me but no..."

Arnav: "SHUT UP..." Arnav didn't knew what to do to stop Khusi's rant so finally he shouted at the top of his voice and that did really shut up Khusi but tears began to flow from her eyes more freely than they had done before. He closed his eyes for a moment to compose himself and then cupping Khusi's face said: "Khusi... look at me... (when Khusi still didn't look at him, he wiped the tears away and forcefully made her look at him) ...Khusi, do you really think I don't love you... do you think I was enjoying myself without you... Khusi, dear... there is a lot of work here. Tomorrow at the fashion week AR will display its designs... I was busy with that... then there was certain deals and meeting which needed my presence... those meetings were supposed to be held after the fashion week but I re-scheduled them so that after the fashion week I could spend the rest of our trip with you only... I was really busy and I am really sorry that I couldn't take out time for you... Sorry."

Khusi wiped her tears and hugged Arnav. "You don't need to say sorry Arnavji... I am sorry... It was just that I was... when we were in Delhi, you used to call me atleast once when you were in office and always answered my calls but here neither did you receive my call nor did you called me back... in the 4 days that we are here, you haven't spoke to me for 4 minutes... I thought... you don't like me anymore... I thought you had the models with you and..."

Arnav: "Khusi... I am sorry. It is my fault; I should have answered your calls and should have let you know about my schedule. I promise in future I would never do this..."

Khusi: "Arnavji... you don't like the models out there? You don't find them attractive. Do you?"

Arnav wanted to laugh at her but knew it won't be good as at the moment she is too insecure. "I don't like any one... Neither do I find anyone attractive... I only like and find only one lady attractive and that one is in my arms... when I have the most gorgeous and beautiful wife why should I look at any other?"

Khusi: "You will not look at any model. Right?"

Arnav: "Never... but only at the one who is in before me."

Khusi blushed and hugged him. "I love you a lot Arnavji... I won't be able to bear to see you with another lady. I will kill myself."

Arnav: "That day will never come Khusi. There will never be a second lady in my life. It will always be you. Only you." With that he covered her lips with his and picked her and took her to the bed.

At RM Delhi

Muskaan has got viral fever and everyone was tensed. Akash had taken the day off because she didn't leave his hand which she was holding while sleeping and he didn't had the heart to leave her. When Muskaan had come home Akash though had argued that he will be her favourite Mama but somewhere he had a nagging feeling that she will like Arnav more because he is the favourite of Di. It was not that he was jealous but he too wanted to be loved equally by Muskaan but now when she is more attached to him than anyone he couldn't stop being happy. Spending time with her in the evening has been a much needed recreation. He loves her a lot and himself doesn't know whether he will love his own child as much as he loves Muskaan. But his time with her will be shortened once Jijaji gets well. Muskaan will get her father and prefer spending time with him and he will have to sit and watch them having a good time and he did not like this feeling a bit.

Payal was standing at the door watching Akash sitting beside Muskaan and taking care of her. It had been over two weeks since Muskaan had arrived home and Akash had been beaming with happiness. All his time were for her now, days at office and the evening he would spend with Muskaan and family... and she has been royally ignored by him since they had spend the day together and their last conversation was at the park. Standing their idle her memory went back to talk in the park.

Flashback:

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Akash: "What has that got to do with you being my wife or Bhabi being Bhai's wife?"

Payal: "It has got to do... Arnavji is the one who runs the business. The whole business and property is in his name. Whatever he says becomes a rule at home..."

Akash: "What are you implying at?"

Payal: "You know whatever Arnavji wants, he gets it done. When he wanted a live-in-relationship with Lavanya everyone agreed... when he eloped and got married to Khusi, they were forgiven. But when you wanted to marry me, there was a hue and cry over it. You had to literally fight with your family. Do you know the reason why Arnavji gets special treatment at home?"

Akash was looking shocked at her and she continued: "That is because he has money. He is the owner. You are just like an employee at his office who just follows his orders. In today's world, the one who has money gets respect. Same is the case with you and Arnavji. Khusi is Arnavji's wife, he rules at office and she is ruling at home. Whatever she does is right and what I do is wrong because my husband doesn't own anything." Akash was still continuing looking at her as if in trance. "You are a servant at office and I am a maid at home."

Akash: "Are you finished with your speech?"

Payal: "Speech?? You think I was giving a speech?"

Akash stood up from the bench: "I THINK?? I THINK?? Now I think I should have thought before getting married to you. You are nothing that you seem to be."

Payal: "Akashji, you are getting me wrong..."

Akash: "I am getting you wrong... Now I am getting you right. You are nothing but a nuisance. You want to divide my family. The family which my Dadi has nurtured throughout her life and my parents have built with their love and wishes. Payal Gupta, what the hell do you think of yourself? Feeding me lies about my own family. . . . You want to say that I am being neglected in my family. . . the family which gives nothing but love. . . you want to say that my brother makes me work like a servant. . . then get one think straight into your pea brain... me, bhai and di have equal importance in the family. Dadi, papa and Maa loves all three of us equally. I am working in the office because it is my bhai's office, my office. Bhai has started it and the position where it is now is because we both brothers work hand-in-hand for its success. . . You think you are working as a maid at home and bhabi is ruling . . . but what I have seen is Bhabi working like a maid, cooking, cleaning the table, taking care of everyone etc...etc... and you are always standing here there or sleeping or talking to your family... (he dejectedly sat on the bench) I was so wrong in falling in love with a girl like you... I don't understand why you are like this. . . Bhabi and you had the same upbringing yet you both are so different probably because your blood is different."

Payal trying to touch his hand said: "Akashji,I..."

Akash moving away from her said: "DON'T YOU DARE TO TOUCH ME. YOU ARE NO ONE TO ME. STAY AWAY FROM ME... I CAN'T LEAVE YOU BECAUSE MY UPBRINGING IS NOT BAD... BUT I AM WARNING YOU, STAY IN YOUR LIMITS AND BE A PERFECT BAHU TO MY FAMILY, A SMALL MISTAKE ON YOUR PART AND THAT WILL BE THE END OF OUR RELATION... NOW WHAT IS YOU LOOKING AT ME...? GET UP AND GO TO THE CAR, I NEED TO GO HOME... IF YOU DESIRE, THEN YOU CAN STAY HERE AND COME BACK ALONE."

Payal: "Akashji... listen... you need to know this...

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Flashback ends

She came out of her thoughts when she felt Anjali's hand on her shoulder. "What happened Payalji? Why are you standing at the door?"

Payal: "Nothing Di... I came to keep the medicines of Muskaan which HP got from the store." She kept the medicines on the bed side and patting Muskaan's face she left the room.

Anjali: "Akash, wake up Muskaan. She needs to have the soup then take her medicines."

Akash slowly patted Muskaan's head and she woke up rubbing her eyes murmuring "Maaa..."

Anjali sitting beside her "I am here beta... (caressing her face) ... come have some soup dear, then you need to have your medicine."

Muskaan pouting: "I don't want medicine, it is too bitter... please Maa... I won't eat it."

Anjali: "Beta, you need to have it or else how will your fever reduce?"

Akash: "Muskaan; if you have the soup and medicine, I will make you talk to your Khusi Mami."

Muskaan: "Khusi Mama aagayi kya?"

Akash: "No dear... she had not returned, but we can chat on skype. You will see her and also Arnav Mama."

Anjali: "Akash, no need for video chat. Khusiji and Chote will come to know that Muskaan is not well and return back leaving behind all work... you call Khusiji on phone and Muskaan can talk to her."

Akash: "But Di... Muskaan was telling me she wants to see Bhabi."

Anajli: "Muskaan beta, do you want to worry your Khusi Mami? (Muskaan shook her head) ...then we will just talk to her, you have your medicine and get well soon and then we will see her online. Okay dear? (Muskaan nodded) ...Come on now have this soup."

She fed her the soup and Akash gave her the medicine and then took his phone to call Khusi.

In the hotel suite of Arnav and Khusi, Khusi's phone rang and Khusi who was on bed with her husband tried moving away from him to pick up the call which made Arnav groan and pulled her more towards him.

Khusi: "Leave me Arnavji, someone is calling. I need to answer the call..."

Arnav: "It isn't important to take the call... don't move from here, it is after so long that we are together... I don't want any disturbances."

Khusi was about to protest but Arnav covered her lips to put them to better use. The phone rang again and Khusi pushing an irritated Arnav from her covered herself with the quilt and took the call but before she could even say hello Muskaan from the other side said: "Khusi Mami... What are you doing? Why didn't you answer the first call?"

Khusi pulled the sheet to cover herself and trying to breathe properly "Muskaan beta... aap... kaise ho aap?"

Arnav murmured to himself "The whole family wasn't enough to disturb my time with Khusi that Muskaan too joined... after all she too is a raizada."

Muskaan on the other side: "I am okay. I am missing you so much. When will you come back?"

Khusi: "Very soon dear... After your Arnav mama completes his work here, we will return back."

Khusi got busy talking to Muskaan, then to Anjali and then the rest of family making Arnav frustrated and he now very well knew what to do to get her attention back to him. He trailed kisses on her bare back and his hand moved on the front of her body creating havoc to her senses. Not able to concentrate while talking to family, she wished them a quick good-bye and turning to Arnav gave a look and said "What were you doing?"

Arnav: "What did I do? And don't give that look to me... you got so involved in talking to family that you forgot that your husband is there on the bed waiting for you."

Khusi: "I was talking to Muskaan... she was missing me and you... can't you control yourself?"

Arnav pulling her to the bed and coming above her "NOOO... I just can't control myself when I am with you... I love you so much and need you soo much..." Saying he got himself to show her again how much he loved and needed her and Khusi too responded with equal passion. Couple hours later when they were sitting in the balcony of their room and having their snacks and enjoying the evening Arnav informed her that tomorrow is the last day of Paris Fashion Week and AR's models will be walking on the ramp and she will accompany him to the event.

Khusi: "Arnavji... Do I really need to go there? I mean... will it be okay if I don't go?"

Arnav: "What the...!! You need to come with me and no it is not okay if you don't come."

Khusi: "But Arnavji..."

Arnav: "No more buts... tonight your dress will be delivered and you will be wearing that and go with me to the event. I want to introduce you to all."

Khusi: "What will I do there? I have no idea about those fashion shows and..."

Arnav: "Khusi, you are the wife of a fashion house owner. It will be now common for you to attend fashion shows with me... Okay."

Next day at the fashion show

Arnav and Khusi wearing a beautiful mermaid-cut red grown attended the fashion show and Arnav posed with her for pictures for the business and fashion magazines and introduced her proudly to all his associates and clients. And Khusi on her part behaved politely and elegantly, standing beside her husband like the perfect couple.

Lavanya who was now working in another fashion house in London was also present there as a senior manager of the fashion house, watched Arnav and Khusi talking and smiling at each other. She was not feeling jealous of Khusi but was a little sad knowing that she could never be that important for ASR as Khusi is.

Arnav got a call on his cell and excused himself to answer the call as the music there was too loud to listen to the other side. He found a secluded corner and answered the call. After answering the call he turned back to find Lavanya standing there with a smile.

Lavanya: "Hello ASR. Nice to meet you."

Arnav: "Hi... Nice to see you... How are you?"

Lavanya: "I am good. So... finally got married?"

Arnav: "Yeah... and I should thank you. Had it not been for you, I would have never realised what Khusi means to me."

Lavanya: "I saw her, but haven't talked to her yet... actually it feels odd to talk to her now."

Arnav: "Why would it feel odd? She knows the truth of our relationship and she values you as her very good friend."

Lavanya: "She is such a sweet-heart. Always sees the good in others... but the truth remains that though you never loved me but I still do love you."

Arnav: "Lavanya... what are you..."

Lavanya: "I know ASR, you love your wife more than anything and our relationship meant nothing to you but what can I do... my heart doesn't listen to me... but trust me, I will never come in between you and Chamkili. I too love her as my best friend."

Arnav: "Thanks."

Lavanya: "ASR, we have always been friends. As a friend can I ask for something?"

Arnav though not sure: "Sure..."

Lavanya: "Can I hug you once. Please. Just as a friend."

Arnav smiled a little and hugged her but at the next moment his eyes widened as he saw Khusi standing a little distance away with tears flooding her eyes. He immediately moved out of the hug and was about to say something but Khusi ran away from there. Lavanya who too had seen Khusi with tears, tried to say something but Arnav too ran behind Khusi before any word left her mouth.

Arnav managed to reach their suite a few minute after Khusi had entered but the scene before him squeezed out air from his lungs and he ran towards her shouting "KHUSIII..."

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