Chapter 4

Arnav - Actually I wanted surprise but cant hold it...I want you to meet my wife before you go...and she insisted that you should wear this gift selected by her...Fine then see you at guest house...

Khushi - Hmm (Arnav walks out...) oh god why are you testing me like this...

OUTSIDE

Arnav (thinking) - I know you felt bad...but I dont have choice to make you realize what you are doing would have hurt you forever.

RAIZADA MANSION

Arnav comes in excitement...Aarthi watches it who was watching TV

Aarthi - What is the matter... you are so happy today...

Arnav - Yes maa...I found your daughter-in-law...I solved the mystery maa...

Aarthi - really??? (Pranav listens to this while entering home)

Pranav - So finally you could find it...it is Khushi then...

Aarthi - You both keep saying Khushi... Khsuhi...who is she...introduce her to me also...

Arnav - Maa... she will come here forever...you can be with her...just have some patience...(Aarthi makes a face) Dont be like this...I am going to get her...be ready to welcome her (Walking towards his room)

Aarthi - Oh really... fine then...I will make arrangements... (Gets excited...Pranav smiles at the joy of these two)

GUESTHOUSE

Arnav is waiting for Khushi in the hall. Khushi comes in wearing the saree he had given with her travel bag and a small hand bag. He was lost in thoughts

Khushi - Hello Sir...

Arnav - Oh... Hi Khushi...

Khushi - Tell me Sir what is that important thing you wanted to discuss?

Arnav - What is the hurry Khushi sit...(Khushi is watching here and there searching and scanning the hall) You are searching something?

Khushi - wo... I cant see Madam anywhere

Arnav - Oh... she is here in guest house...dont worry...

Khushi - But where? (Smiles at her curiosity and tension)

Arnav - In my room ...come... (he gets up and walks towards his room)

Khushi (Thinks) - Again I have to go there... I cant face those pics...(Arnav looks back and see Khushi is not walking behind him)

Arnav - What happened Khushi?

Khushi - Nothing ... (She walks behind him to the room)

IN ROOM

Again Khushi looks everywhere...finds no one but there was a album and a file kept on bed. Looking at her confused Arnav speaks.

Arnav - Acually she is just a few steps away..you dont need to search her...come I will show you my marriage album. I think by then she would be with me. (Khushi was hell nervous, she dint want to see that but Arnav is calm. He goes and takes the album keeping file aside sits at the edge of the bed.) Why are you so lost?

Khushi - I ... I am getting late.

Arnav - I said I would drop you right...dont worry come...(She come and sits next to him hesitantly...He starts showing the album and Khushi was shocked... it was their marriage album)

Khushi - Sir... thiiisss

Arnav - Oh ... I am such a fool... You know I was married in child hood itself...this is me and my wife...(Starts filpping the pages making Khushi more confused) actually I met her recently ...almost had to become a James Bond to search her...I am happy that I got her...(He smiles happily and Khushi was shocked...he got her...who is she? Was her thought)

Khushi - That...that is great ...Congrats Sir

Arnav - Thank you...But Khushi...If you dont mind can you stay back...Along with business takeover I want to step into a new phase of life with her since she is back in my life and I want you to help me out in it...(This was more difficult for Khushi...)

Khushi -Actually this job is very important for me Sir...(turning away from him) Dont worry you will get a better person to manage this event...(She had tears in her eyes)

Arnav - Hmmm...(She quickly wipes her tears and turns back)

Khushi - Sir...Madam dint come yet...

Arnav - Madam ... She is too adamant...(Arnav wipes her tear stains on her cheeks properly)

Khushi - wo...something fell in my eyes...(Arnav just smiles)

Arnav - She is still not agreeing that I am her husband (Makes a sad face. Khushi recovers herself and stands)

Khushi - Dont worry Sir...You tell me where is she Sir... I will go and convince her...tell me who is she...where is her house?

Arnav - Really Khushi... (Gets up...) Come let me show you (He pulls her, takes her to the big mirror...make stand infront, gets behind and puts his hand around her waist...resting his cheeks on her shoulder) This is her... can you convince her...please(Khushi unlocks his hand and turns back)

Khushi - Sir...

Arnav - Oh...stop it now Khushi...I am your husband not your boss...you will be the first ever wife who is addressing her husband as Sir...

Khushi - No, its not possible (trying to lie) I am not married..

Arnav - Oh ya... I knew you would say something like this...(Goes and tales the file).. I have all the proofs look (showing her child hood pics) this is you right...(Khushi was way beyond surprised) and this is the same girl with me in my marriage pics...(Showing bank statement) this is your bank details...see this is your signature right??

Khushi - I mean...

Arnav - Dont lie Khushi... I have already matched this with the event management contract you signed...(Showing his ring) this K is Khushi...my wife...(Taking her hand..showing her ring) This A is Arnav...your husband...

Khushi - Nooo...please...stop telling me this...

Arnav - Why...this is the truth and you have to accept this...

Khushi - I wont...anyway I dont consider this marriage...thats illegal by law.

Arnav - Ya right... (Pulls her handbag...opens it...takes out the Sindoor box...) What is this? Why are you keeping it then...

Khushi - My boyfriend gave me (tries another lie)

Arnav - oh ya... your boyfriend stole it from raizada house? (He tilts it and shows the the carving of their surname below the box...yet another shock for Khushi).. fine why are you keeping this then? (pull the managlsutra from her purse) you were searching this like insane the other day...

Khushi - Wo...wo..

Arnav - Dont even try Khushi...if you tell this was given by your friend ...I am not going to spare you... logically if you had a boyfriend who could get you such a expensive managalsutra..he would marry you and take you to his house...that is ruled out...

Khushi - Enough...please stop...

Arnav - Ok ...so you agree that I am your husband? Or you still need proof?

Khushi - I agree that we were the one's married...but I wont accept that...that...(turns off again) you are my husband.

Arnav - Then why are you keeping all these things? Dont fool me Khushi...(Hold her by shoulder) why are you doing like this?? I though you will be happy...(Khushi starts crying and speaking)

Khushi - I like someone

Arnav - What???

Khushi - I am sorry but...but I dint know about this marriage...I cant accept it now...please...dont force me...

Arnav - Are you serious Khushi???

Khushi - Hmmm...I kept all these things because Amma gave me...(He leaves her shoulder)

Arnav - You like someone...(he was really hurt now...with all the efforts he put in he couldnt get his wife back)...I am sorry...I should have asked you this before...whether you want this relation back or not...

Khushi - I am sorry too...I should have told you the day I got to know it was you...

Arnav - Its ok...I am good... actually relieved...that I did not cheat anyone...you are free Khushi...I wont force you into this relation...(He takes the Sindoor box, Mangalsutra...keeps aside. Comes to her Takes her hand in his hand ) since you are in love oh sorry...like someone...you shouldnt be wearing this as well (starts pulling off the ring...Khushi's tears were still flowing..but he dint stop..he took it off) you need not keep these with you as these are no more of a value to you...

Khushi - But ...(He again wipes her tears)

Arnav - they are meant for my wife...I dont want them to be with someone else. I hope you understand...(Khushi was losing her battle...she so wanted this day when her husband would accept her but she was not able to reciprocate it today and she starts thinking about the words her Amma had told when she gave the bag)

FLASHBACK STARTS

After the bag was given to Khushi and the truth was revealed.

Khushi - Sure amma I will keep it... I will try to find them...will ask them after being educated and rich why did they do such a act.

Amma - No, Khushi...promise me... you are never going to go back to them...

Khushi - Why amma...

Amma - I dont know about the boy as he was too small...but their family will not accept you...you would be treated like a unwanted person...I am sure his Daadi wont accept you...you will create a mess in their life beta...

Khushi - But amma...Please ... I will just try to find for my satisfaction...I promise I wont ask them to accept me not I would let them know about the truth...

Amma - As you wish... be careful...all I want is you to happy...I dont want you to suffer just because of this marriage which was just a mere formality for their benefit...you understand me right?

Khushi - Yes Amma...I wont go back to them...will just find them... you sleep now...

FLASHBACK ENDS

Arnav had kept all the things on table now...

Arnav - Lets go Khushi... you will get late (Khushi came out of the trans)

Khushi - Han...hmmm...its ok I will manage...

Arnav - But I did promise you that I would leave you right...

Khushi - There is lot of time Arnav ji...Railways station is just 20 mins away...I will go myself...

Arnav - I am not going to lift you and go Khushi...we will go in car...just come...(He walks forward...she just looks back all the things which Arnav took from her for the last time as he kept them in a small bag...Arnav notices it but ignores and goes out taking the bag...Khushi also takes her bag and walks behind)

IN CAR

Khushi - Arnav ji its still 2:50 there is a temple near railway station can you please drop me there...I want to visit temple before I go...

Arnav - Sure

Khushi - From there station is at walkable distance...I can go...

Arnav - Hmmm ok...

Khushi - Are you...(gulps her fear) angry on me...

Arnav - Dont make it more difficult Khushi...I just dont want to talk about it...(Khushi keeps quite. They reach the temple. She gets out and closes the door)

Khushi - Thank you...

Arnav - Most welcome (He gets out of the car)

Khushi - Even you are joining me?

Arnav - I usually dont...but with all that what happened today...I want peace of mind..I hope you dont mind...

Khushi - No no...(In thought..."atleast we can go to temple together for once...thank you god...") its not like that... I just asked ...(Arnav locks the door...they both enter the temple...Khushi is all the while looking at Arnav who looked very upset again she thinks "I am sorry Arnav ji...I know you will accept me and fight for my right at your home but I dont want to be a burden for you. If possible forgive me for hurting you...that someone is you yourself Arnav ji...")