Chapter 34

Chapter 34: That Smile On Your Face

I know this is short but I'm just getting a grip on myself... I'll just try and make the next update quicker... Thank you for all your lovely comments and Likes... Feels great to read them...😊

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When Khushi came out after having her bath, she was surprised to see that Arnav was back from his jog so early and was frantically typing on his laptop, while speaking through the Bluetooth headset that was clipped to his ear.

She got ready and was about to move out when he put the call on hold, "Khushi could you please ask HP to get my breakfast in the room? Something important has come up at work." She nodded and left.

When the breakfast was ready, HP had gone to the market to get a face-pack for Mamiji. So Khushi herself took the tray upstairs. On entering the room she saw that Arnav was ready for work.

He saw her and spoke, "Actually there's this deal I've been working on to get really hard and the clients have finally agreed to meet us. I have to leave immediately for work. I'll ask the driver to drop you to your Studio. I hope you don't mind."

Khushi shook her head, "No, don't bother, I..."

"Khushi don't argue. I said I'll ask the driver to drop you." He said annoyed while going through his files.

"No, actually I'm taking a day off today." She said and he paused.

"Day off? Why?" He asked surprised.

"Just like that. Dolly Maasi will be leaving for Banaras today. So I thought I must stay back at home." She shrugged.

Arnav felt touched by her gesture. She was staying back for his Maasi. He felt good. "Okay, Dolly Maasi's train is in the evening. I'll be back before that, I'm going to drop her at the station."

"Alright I'll let her know." She replied and left.

~~~~~~

Khushi really liked Dolly Maasi. She knew that they both owed an explanation to Maasi for their behaviour last night. Arnav saying anything was an impossibility so she had decided against going to work and talk to Maasi. Though what had happened looked so weird that she had no idea, how she could ever explain it.

Arnav had left already and everyone was at the breakfast table in a lively conversation with Dolly Maasi. Maasi didn't once give Khushi a strange look or even made her feel that anything wrong might have happened last night. Khushi felt glad about it.

After breakfast, Khushi was in her room, sending some work related mails on her laptop so that her assistants could take care of everything in her absence, when there was a knock on the open door. Khushi looked up to see Dolly Maasi come in. She smiled automatically.

"Maasi... Please come." Khushi got up, putting her laptop away.

Dolly Maasi came in, "You left your Shagun in my room last night." She smiled and handed over to Khushi all the gifts she had given her last night.

Khushi smiled nervously and kept them aside. Both of them sat on the bed.

"So you didn't go to work for me? Thanks dear." Dolly Maasi said touching her cheek.

"That's alright. After all you have come for such a short visit." Khushi replied.

"I know but I'm in a bit of a rush right now and I really wanted to see Chote and you. I couldn't be there for your wedding so I couldn't resist meeting you any longer. I'll try to make it a longer visit next time." She smiled.

Khushi looked down nervously. "Maasi... last night... we... I'm so sorry..."

Dolly Maasi took Khushi's hands in her own. "Khushi, my child; are you alright?"

Khushi looked up surprised by the amount of concern and affection her voice held. "Yes." She nodded. They were quiet for a few moments and then Khushi spoke again, "Arnav is fine too."

Dolly Maasi's eyes twinkled, "I'm glad that you felt like telling that to me. But Chote doesn't show his emotions very easily. What happened last night... The last time I saw him so out of control was when his parents passed away."

"We have gone through terrible times, Maasi. But last night I realised that he was as much affected as I was if not more. In a way I must thank you for it. Last night, a lot of questions were answered between us." Khushi said looking at Dolly Maasi gratefully.

Dolly Maasi chuckled. "I'm glad. But Khushi you know when I saw you for the first time yesterday, I saw a certain honesty in your eyes, last night I saw hurt and pain in them. I think what happened last night was something very personal between you two, something that I wasn't supposed to witness. I had sensed some awkwardness between you two when we were in my room. However I must tell, if that would help... I was relieved that there was no hatred there."

Khushi looked up at her surprised.

"It doesn't take a genius to guess the situation does it? And I know Chote and his anger very well. I can imagine..." she left the sentence unfinished.

But Khushi knew what she had to say and what she might have guessed. She couldn't meet her eyes.

"You know I have mixed feelings right now. On one side I feel happy that my Chote has found someone like you in his life, someone who is here with him... even though he has hurt you so much. And on the other hand I feel bad for you to have to go through all this alone." She sighed. "But you know a marriage can only be successful when at least one of the partners is understanding in a given situation. And make sure that you are not always the understanding one. There has to be a balance. He has to make it work from his end too." Dolly Maasi smiled. "If you say that last night opened some door for you then use them, talking to each other and being transparent will help you sort your differences and overcome your fears."

Khushi was in deep thought for a while when she felt a shake on her shoulder.

"What happened? Oh God, I hope I didn't bore you to death." Dolly Maasi giggled, making the atmosphere light and closing the topic.

Khushi shook her head and both of them sat talking for a long time and Khushi felt relieved after talking to her. At least there was someone who knew and understood her. She was glad that Maasi had not judged her without talking to her.

~~~~~~

Arnav returned early in the evening. Dolly Maasi had already packed and was ready to leave. Khushi was in the kitchen, packing some light eatables for her when he came to her.

"We... I mean, Dolly Maasi and I are leaving for the station in about half an hour." He hesitated for a moment as she continued with her work. "Would you like to come?" Khushi looked up at him surprised. "I mean Maasi will feel good if you come." He said not meeting her eyes.

For some reason, Arnav's behaviour made Khushi very curious and she agreed to go with them. But they dropped Dolly Maasi without any hassles and Khushi thought that maybe he just felt awkward to be with Maasi alone after last night. However while returning; Khushi was surprised when Arnav took another route than that of homewards.

"We aren't going home?" She asked and he confirmed it. She was itching to ask where they were going but remained quiet. A few minutes later though, she started taking in the route and looked at him suddenly. "We are going to meet Amma Babuji?"

He just nodded first but then realised that she was still looking at him, waiting for him to elaborate. "Um... you hadn't met them for quite some time now so I thought we should visit." He parked the car and turned to look at her. She was staring at him shocked and then her lips spread into the brightest and most dazzling smile he could ever remember seeing on her face.

"Thank you Arnav. Thank you so much." She said delighted like a small child presented with a box of candies.

They entered and Khushi's parents were very happy to see their daughter and son-in-law. Arnav could see how happy Khushi was after meeting her parents. After last night he knew she would be hurt, even though she would never share it him... especially not HIM. But spending some time with her parents would definitely make her feel a little better. He knew she couldn't be healed in a day but he was glad that at least for a few hours he could bring a smile on her face.

Khushi made her Amma sit with Arnav and her Babuji and went in the kitchen to make tea and snacks for everyone. When she came out she saw from the door way Arnav talking to her father and her mother looking at them fondly. They seemed to be discussing casually but the picture looked so soothing. She really had never imagined Arnav to have this type of a relationship with her parents. She came forward and placed the tea tray on the centre table and joined her Amma in watching the two men chat. Khushi felt like a fool looking at them converse casually. A fool she was to ever believe that Arnav could have harmed her family. All that he had done for them and the way he had built up a relationship with them clearly showed how much he cared. So she accepted that she had been fooled by Arnav into believing that he would hurt her family and forced her into marrying her. Though the fact was aggravating for sure, Khushi for some reason felt like laughing out loud. He had played a bluff and she had fallen for it. But then again she had to blame Arnav for it all. After all the impression she had of him wasn't exactly pleasant now, was it? What else could she expect from a person who had always shown her his ruthless and dark side? But after last night, she couldn't believe how light she was feeling. A fear that always surrounded her when she was around Arnav, had been reduced if not completely thrown out. She let out a long breath wondering where all this would lead.

"Thanks a lot Arnav." Khushi said softly as they walked towards the entrance of RM.

"You don't have to thank me Khushi, it's nothing." He shrugged it off.

~~~~~~

Over the next few weeks Khushi realised that Arnav wasn't just doing it for a show, he was really taking efforts for making her comfortable in her surroundings. He would somehow sense when she wanted to be alone and just walk out of their room to give her space. Every once in a while he would take her to meet her parents while returning from work, which would make Payal throw an accusing look at Akash. They had even progressed to discuss generally about household matters. And Khushi noticed that ever since Dolly Maasi had visited them, they hadn't disagreed or argued with each other even once, which in itself was a record.

Arnav on the other hand was simply happy with the fact that Khushi didn't have that disturbed look on her face all the time nowadays. He knew she wasn't the kind of person to be impressed by comforts and luxuries. Small gestures were enough to please her and if that was what it took to make her pain go away, he was ready to do it for the rest of his life.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Chapter 35: An Encounter With Evil

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