Chapter 20

The Morning After the Night Before

Chapter 20

Arnav looked at his three sons, the eldest Ayaan, meaning good luck and destiny. It had Arnav's destiny and luck that had him end up with Khushi. His middle son Aashish was no less important than the eldest, he had been considered a blessing and so named. Finally Akhil who completed his family and was so named.

His three boys looked like peas in a pod but their individuality shone through. Each one already at four months showed their characteristics. Ayaan the eldest was the quiet patient one who always smiled and gurgled and usually waited for his parents attention. Aashish seemed to be the naughty one, if you could be naughty- he took the longest as he wriggled in the bath playing and splashing. At nappie time, he never lay still - every opportunity he got he kicked everything off , whilst his youngest Akhil was most like him in nature -bad tempered and impatient -god forbid his milk was late, the house would be screamed down.

Arnav smiled at his boys -as demanding as his precious boys were, this weekend he had their mother. He loved them ,but he also loved Khushi and it had been four months since their arrival. His well ordered life had gone down the drain. The only part he would change is spending time with Khushi uninterrupted.

They barely got time alone, the triplets were demanding and not sleeping through the night.

Recently he had noticed how tired she looked -gaunt and dark circles around her eyes. She was exhausted. She needed a break - but she felt her babies were far too young to be left alone without her.

Arnav had other ideas- if she didn't get a break she would have a nervous break down. There was no way he was letting that happen.

He had negotiated amazing business deals and applied logic to his business plans. All theses assets seem to vanish when he started dealing with Khushi and the boys. There were no rules that he understood. There was no predictability about her and the boys -he had no idea where to begin.

Dad! He knew how Khushi's brain worked and all the possible tangents and curve balls she might throw in his plans. The kids -well he couldn't think of anything much that four month old kids could get up to.

"Get used to sharing boys - You have all monopolised your mum's time, this weekend she is mine!"

Dad helped Arnav plan his weekend away as far as the children were concerned there would be Sheenu, Payal, Di, Nani and Dad to look after them. God help the kids.

Arnav was excited as a child on Christmas morning. He planned to meet Khushi to take her to Devi Maya's temple without the kids to which she readily agreed. That was all she knew.

The kidnapping had been planned with the aid of dad. Once in the car after Devi Maya'sTemple they were not going home -they would be going to the farm house.

He had made arrangements for food to be cooked and left. The house would be cleaned and for them. They would to be on their own Friday night and Saturday when they would return to Shantivan.

Arnav had no intention of telling Khushi his plans otherwise she would never agree to leaving the babies behind. She still fondly called them Raizada 1,2 and 3; he was grateful that she didn't call them ladoo,jelebai and alloo pakora. Thankgod for small mercies.

Arnav planned a romantic candlelit dinner for just the two of them under the gazebo. He had had strings of fairy lights hung from the trees and lanterns to light the rose petal littered path.

The Gazebo was decorated with flowers and heavy curtains should they wish to have a moment of privacy.

He had two pieces of jewellery designed for her -simple and plain a mommy pendant -three stones one for each of their children and a ring three bands studded with diamonds all supporting a large pain square cut diamond.

He had designed a new outfit for her in a blend of white and melon pink lengha top made of organza with a scooped neckline and a tie at the front and a small white encrusted bustier top heavily embroidered exposing some of her cleavage.

Everything was set now all that remained was to put his plan into action.

First the temple -then their mini holiday -Arnav knew that he would take the ear bashing that Khushi would give him for taking her away from her three sons, but soon she would come round and if she didn't then he could spike her drink with alcohol. She wouldn't remember and he would still be alive. It was a win -win plan.

But when did Arnav's plans ever go the way he had planned when Khushi was involved. Events always played out a completely different way from the way he had imagined. Soon Arnav would learn that tonight was no different for all concerned.

Aftera while Khushi realised that the car was not on its way home from the temple but it was heading out of town in the opposite direction.

"ARNAV -you're driving in the wrong direction home is the other way!"

"We are not going home we are eloping for the night just you and me"

"The kids ? What's going to happen ? who is going to look after them? I didn't tell them that I wouldn't be home they will get really upset. If I am not there Aashish will really play up and then he will set the other two off and you know Akhil-he has decided to take after you he will have one of his temper tantrums or crying fits and then the other two will join in -and all hell will break loose."

Breathe Khushi, it's good for you to breathe.

"Arnav turn this car around"

"Nope"

"Arnav stop this car or I will scream and wipe that smirk of your face!"

"Nope " Arnav now had a big Cheshire cat grin on his face.

Khushi opened her mouth and let out a shrill piercing scream. All Arnav did was increase the volume of the radio which at that point decided to play Dabanng.

Khushi screaming stopped and her singing started -Arnav thought to himself -singing was definitely not one of her talents. It was a close call between screaming and singing.

Dabanng finished and Khushi started screaming -"heeelllppp-heeelllppp"

"Khushi -no one can hear you and we are going to the farm house come hell or high water."

"I'll tell Nani Ji"

"She knows"

"I'll tell Dad"

"He knows"

"I'll tell Di"

"She knows"

"Payal"

"Knows"

"Akash"

"Knows"

"Sheenu"

"Knows"

"Aman"

"Doesn't know -what are you going to tell him -that your husband has kidnapped you for some much needed R & R , maybe a dirty weekend if you are lucky."

"Arnav!" but her eyes had softened. She did need a break -she was at breaking point, they could all see that. She needed to take time out for herself and him.

It had been four months since the human tornadoes had arrived and turned their lives upside down. Only recently she felt that she was winning she had finally got the triplets into a workable routine -one day off would do them all good. But he should have asked her and given her the opportunity to prepare the children for her absence. She had better warn Payal and Di about peculiarities.

"You cooling down yet Mrs Raizada"

"Thinking...you are not yet off the hook yet"

Khushi pulled out her cell and rang all the numbers everyone was going straight to answer phone.

"Khushi who are you trying to call?"
"Di - anyone they are all going straight to answer phone-there must be something wrong -Arnav turn the car round now!

"Use my cell - no one is going to answer your calls till tomorrow"

Khushi glared at Arnav -"first he kidnaps me, then he separates me from children and then doesn't allow me to speak to my family-Bada aiya Laad Governer"

Khushi chatted to Di for rest of the journey.

They arrived as the sun was setting .

"Khushi I have a special outfit that I had made for you and designed for you will you wear it for me it's on the bed in our room upstairs . You can have a lovely uninterrupted shower and meet me downstairs for dinner."

Khushi smiled and tilted her head "Listen"

"What am I listening for ?"

"You can actually hear crickets and birds, no one is screaming Khushi this or Khushi that. The children are not crying. There is actually peace so that I can hear my own thoughts."

She smiled at him, thanking him silently.

"My shower -no interruptions really -not even from you"

"No I want to see you wearing the outfit that I have chosen for you -your shower is your time, then it will be our time"

Khsuhi saw her outfit -it was breathtaking. It revealed more than it covered - her breasts would be falling out of that top if she was not careful and that coatie wasn't really a coatie it was a flimsy excuse of a wrap. There was no way she was wearing this in public- but for him that was a totally different ball game. The one thing that surprised her was that the outfit was not red but melon pink. Well she supposed that it was a diluted shade of red.

He had placed a waist chain so that it would hide her scar - she was conscious of it still.

Khushi took a long leisurely shower and dressed slowly.

Finally she came down the stairs and all she could do was stare. He had heard come out of their room and he stood up to greet her.

He had showered and dressed, was wearing a Black and Maroon sherwani.

Unfalteringly he held her gaze slowly walking towards her -"You're missing this" It was the mommy pendant with three stones one for each of their blessings ,this an eternity ring - "this symbolises that I will always look after our three children and you from now until ...and this -a red rose to symbolise our love" He placed it in her hair. "Now you are beyond perfection. May I escort you to dinner?"

Arnav took her hand and led her outside -she gasped there were a multitude of butterflies flitting around the path as she walked down the rose littered path decorated with fairy lights to the gazebo which was as beautifully decorated.

"Arnav everything is ... is ..." tears shimmered in her eyes. "Thank you for everything -including kidnapping me.

They sat there eating ,chatting discussing things -without interruptions -no children . As much as she loved them, she loved Arnav too. She hadn't realised how much she missed being with him.

Their time was as precious as the time spent with the kids -each special in its own way. She hadn't realised that she had been ignoring him and pushed him to the outside of her circle since three little lives had come into their lives.

He had turned tonight into something exceptionally special for her - a memory to last her a last her a life time.

Arnav dropped the curtains so no one could peek into his perfect world.

Gentle music flowed and Arnav danced with Khushi.

"Arnav have you any idea how sexy you look in that sherwani- I love it when you wear one"

"Why do you think I'm wearing it ? because you find me very sexy in one of these outfits -you wear things to please me, so this is the least that I can do for you"

He pulled Khushi over to the slumber area and lay there holding her, breathing in her scent relaxed in the knowledge that there were going to be no interruptions tonight. No diaper changes, no feeding routine, no screaming babies -and she actually smelt of jasmine today not baby powder. It had been four months -finally he had the opportunity to make uninterrupted unhurried love to his wife. He felt her steady heart beat, it beat in unison with his. Arnav smiled down at her - he had waited four months, one more night would hardly make a difference; he would wait patiently -Khushi had fallen fast asleep.

He kissed her gently on her lips "Sleep Mrs Raizada , thank you for a perfect date"

With that Arnav pulled covers over both of them and fell asleep. The thing they both needed the most -and never acknowledged to each other - sleep.