Chapter 43

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation to Part 9, Section 1A

This update is about an outstandingly skillful and opportune act, a very clever move, in a word, MASTERSTROKE

The relief received from venting her spleen, made Khushi seek her bed and sleep soundly from exhaustion after her spurt of outburst, foregoing her dinner. Arnav paced his room thinking of all the things that Khushi had hurled at him that were nothing but true. He regretted every word that he had uttered in anger and like the pyroclastic flow coming out of the volcano, all that he had spewed out in a fit of anger at various times seem to have clung to her mind and hardened inside her! His words had hurt her and his actions had scorched so much so, that she seemed to have turned herself into him as a shield against further hurt. He could not allow her to become a cold person like ASR, for he knew how tough, how cold and how lonely, it is to be there. He was able to survive with his cold mask. But Khushi with her basic happy and do good nature will not be able to last however much she would try! He was the one responsible for it and he needed to take care of it. He needed to make an effort to set things right. That was the only viable option available right now. While he was pondering over these facts, he kept stealing glances at an oblivious Khushi who was sleeping soundly. He remembered she would be leaving him in just five more days, so he has just five more days to convince her otherwise. He wondered, how could he let her go? How could he live without her? How could he exist without seeing her, without touching her, without hearing her laughter and her ditty, Aaj Mausam He Suhaana and its various impromptu versions? How could he live without her? How would she live without him? In order to keep her with him, though the task was uphill was not insurmountable. The going would be tough but he needed that victory. For without her, he was just a mere brittle shell that can only rattle not a counch that could resonate. So he needed a coup.

Khushi woke up to heavy eyelids and general feeling of tiredness. With an effort she opened her eyes and focused them on the ceiling that held no interest to her. She was listless and knew it was another day to be lived through. She was counting the days remaining to get away from there. As she sat up, her heart picked up its beat and sure enough Arnavji was sitting at the foot of her bed looking at her! When he called out, Khushi, quickly getting out of the bed, muttering, Just a minute, she fled into the bathroom. She needed time to compose herself before facing Arnavji, after the brilliant display of fireworks last night. She was embarrassed to have let him witness her pain, her feelings last night. With the door locked, she pep talked herself that he would be trying to persuade her, make her change her mind, but not to sucuumb to it. She has to go in five days. So to be strong to withstand, was the necessity. That would be a feat by itself. To be so she needed her friend, Devi Maiyya's help, for she knew, she alone was unable to withstand his charm as her heart was also on his side. Hence she asked Devi Maiyya, to give her enough strength to hold back her tears, to hold on to her resolve.

When she walked out of the bathroom, wiping her wet face with a towel, he was still waiting. He asked her to sit beside him patting the bed stating they needed to talk. Khushi ignored his gesture and sat down on the chaise longue. He opened up the conversation by apologizing for all the hurt he had caused. As she looked at him she observed, that his eyes were slightly red and looking tired as though he had kept a sleepless vigilance. His face was drawn and had a look of seriousness. As Khushi nodded, he stuttered while saying that in... in five days... their marriage will come to an end... that made her give him a calm, yes. Arnav continued with, if she leaves RM and goes to Laxmi Nagar... and paused. Khushii just kept on looking, waiting for him to continue. He said that both families will want to know why and there would be tears, recriminations... Khushi agreed but hooded her eyes by looking at her hands that were clasped tightly together. That was what she was dreading the most. She just could not face the disappointment of the families, the tears, the humiliation her family would have to face once the neighbours found out that she was back for good... It would be an effort for her to keep on a stoic face and wondered, if only she could leave Delhi, if only she got a positive response to the many job applications she had sent... Arnav succeeded in maneuvering her thoughts to things that she dreaded the most. That was an action that was the base for his further talk. He wanted to exploit this thought of hers and it to be the basis of her response to him.

When Arnav called out to her, forcing herself to look up, she dragged her mind from the pit of sorrow that was waiting for them, and saw that his face too had lost its color. He told her, that he had done numerous foolish things to hurt her and he had been a deluded fool. Khushi remained tacit knowing fully well it required neither her assent nor would she dissent his statement. He confessed in a low voice, that the biggest blunder was the contract marriage, an overt act. As she continued to look at him, he told her that, her helplessness, her tears when he forced her hand, her confusion at his demand, her tears as he married her... were all etched in him. They were something he would be never able to erase. They had been popping up in his mind time and again and he had been suppressing them. His words, made Khushi look away. The tears that both families shed that night, the insults she had to bear were too much, infact, was uncalled for. His words made tears pool in her limpid eyes and she had to stuggle to keep them at bay. Arnav got up from the bed and knelt down in front of her. Hugging her by her waist, he told her, that all of it was for nothing. He was punishing an innocent while the criminal went scot-free... Khushi filled with no desire to rehash those incidents that left only bad taste in the mouth told him, that it was over and let go all of it. Past is just past and that was where it had to be. For her living it once was bad enough by itself and recalling it was not something she fancied. Arnav stressed that it was not over until their families knew the truth.

Khushi looked at him, wondering what he was up to now. With his face pale, but determination etched on it he said, he wanted to tell them the truth about their marriage. It was a bold stroke that he wanted to make and it made her stare at him in horror. He stressed that they should be made aware that she was not to be blamed. The slap that Amma had given her on their wedding day should have stung him on his face. Khushi shrieked, was he mad? What was it that was cooking in his brain this time? Why?.. How?.. What? were her disconnected words in reaction to his statement. Calming herself with a huge breath drawn in, she queried, why should he tell anyone anything? Why should they tell the rest about the contract marriage? The easiest and the best way would be to part quietly after five days. When they are asked, the rest could just be informed that they do not want to continue with their marriage, that they do not want to live together... Arnav cupping her face told her that no one would believe it. The whole world knows that he loves her. Though Khushi just stared at him, still boiling with anger, he stated the whole family knows that she loves him too, making her hitch her breath and wonder as to how he knew it when she had never said so. He told her that they will never believe, even if they try to give any excuse including incompatibility and not wanting to stay together. All Khushi could do was stare mutely at him. He told her that over and above he was fed up of lies and half-truths. It was time to let their families into the truth. Though bitter, they had the right to know the truth of their bahu by his family and their damaad by her family. Khushi reeling from the knowledge of what he wanted to do, with her hand on her forehead said, that by disclosing, he was worsening the situation as well as their position. He was leading himself to a pit fall in the eyes of her family, his family and his brothers! When Arnav said, that the confession was long overdue, Khushi was not for it and asked him once again to refrain from doing so. But he insisted that it needed to be done, for her. It was a measure that they needed to take. As Khushi persisted against it he clearly stated that it was absolutely necessary for her family to know that the child they had adopted had never done anything to tarnish their name. She had never forgotten the values instilled in her and she would never ever put them to shame. They should also know that though not of the same blood as them, she was not an ingrate. Then, they would be able to accept her back in their fold open-heartedly without ever having an iota of doubt lurking in their mind. And also his family should know the true worth of Payal and her and the move was worth every bit of pain and the strain it get him. When Khushi still objected, he pleaded to let him do it. He needed to do it, if not for her, for him at least, to clear his conscience a bit by correcting at least this folly of his as a step towards right direction. Though Khushi knew it was not a feasible idea, as she did not have the heart to deny him anything, she agreed.

Later while Khushi was folding her clothes and arranging it in a neat pile on their bed, Arnav observed that she was looking pale with worry. He knew that what he was about to do was a gamble, an endeavour that carried huge risk with it. But he knew that it had to be done if he had to salvage his marriage. Arnav drew in a deep breath thinking of what he was about to place on the table. He told Khushi that he had asked Nani to invite Amma, Babuji and Buaji for lunch. Seeing Khushi loose her facial pallor, Arnav rushed to her and hugged her tight. He promised that it was his handiwork and he would set things right. She need not worry over it. Khushi nodded slowly but was not able to really believe that he would be able to keep his promise. They would have to face the music however unpleasant it was.

While the Raizadas and the Guptas relaxed in the living room after a sumptuous meal, Arnav sitting by Khushi, looked at all the happy faces. He could feel the tension emanating from Khushi's frail body just like a drawn bow. He could see her fingers squeezing the ends of her dupatta. Giving her the support and confidence, he put his arm around her. NK, enthusiastically recounting what his personal trainer had told him said, that he needed the protein supplements to build up his muscles to become a haiwaan and bhaktimaan! NK as usual had goofed up with Hindi words. Buaji who was listening to his talk was horrified to hear it. Rotating her round eyes, she told him, if he wanted to become haiwaan what was the need to go to gym paying so much? He could go to akhada instead, where it would cost him tuppence. Akash hissed at NK saying, it was balwaan and shaktimaan! NK being obtuse asked who was that? Was he someone like He Man! While NK was conversing on one side, Mami was telling Nani in her quaint Hinglish that she had told Mrs. Sinha that if she lets her girl wear short miniscule dresses and scoot around in a scooter at midnight, she would elope with some goldbrick and she would not even be aware of it. Her narration had all in smiles.

When there was a lull in the conversation, Arnav announced that they both needed to tell the rest something... All attention focused on them and were curious as to know what he was about to tell. Khushi, thinking of what was to befall, trembled and Arnav pulled her closer, in to his warmth. All took in Khushi's pale face and Arnav's protective stance. The act did not go unnoticed. Nani was the first one to react. The mind of the matriarch had deduced what was to be uttered and could not hold back her joy! She announced that her Chotey and Khushi Bitiya were indeed gladdening her heart with such good news, perplexing both Arnav and Khushi as to what was so good about the news that they were about to break! They wondered, could the impending separation and the resulting divorce be categorized as celebration time? The whole family seemed to have cottoned on to Nani's thoughts except the two of them! The living room was filled with laughter and huge smiles. The entire family seemed to celebrate and heap them with congratulatory hugs! Arnav's attempts to know what was happening and what made them so happy went unheeded. There were so many people talking at once that he could not get a word in edgewise. NK nudged him saying, You naughty boy, Nannav! Akash congratulating his Bhai and Khushiji, hugged him. Nani hugging them, shed tears of happiness saying how happy his mother would have been! Arnav was stunned beyond belief! Will his mother be happy with Khushi leaving him? Buaji taking out money out of her bag circled it around their head to ward off any evil eye that would dare to cast upon them. Babuji had happy tears in his eyes. Anjali hugged and kissed Arnav and Khushi, weeping all over them. As Arnav tried to ask his Di what brought forth all this happiness and hugs, he was cut in by Mami, who started to tell Nani in her Hinglish, that Payaliyaa and Akass Bitwaa, Arnav Bitwaa and Khussi Bitiyaa got married on the same day! Now Arnav Bitwaa and Khussi Bitiyaa are going to have a baby! That was quite an accomplishment considering the news they wanted to break!

Continued in the next post. Link: 90566451

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rulama2013-08-24 04:02:57