Chapter 207

Chapter 290: Following the Chaos

Kushi was still shaken from all that had ensued minutes before.

There remained that hazy feeling of dread in her, unwanting to imagine what would have happened if Fortune hadn't intervened when he did. And the frightening foreboding of what had happened to the poor bird. She was partially impelled to go and investigate herself or send someone in substitute to find out the outcome of his aerial fall. But she felt helpless under the circumstances, and could only earnestly pray that when she next visited Nani's chamber, she would find the parrot unscathed and proudly perched on its usual spot. And then there was the alarming fear of what the rest of the family had heard of the ruckus in the room. Were they not loud enough to raise the whole Castle's attention to the noise in the Gallery? Was Lord Manohar the only one who'd visibly witnessed the source of the clamour? What did he assume had happened? She was certain he had not believed a word they said. They had lied quite blatantly and nothing escaped the astute eyes of the Elder Lord. He must have seen through them.

The weight, of all the secrets Kushi concealed, bore down on her young heart. Propping her elbows on her knees, she leaned forward and put her face to her palms, where she sat at the foot of the bed, waiting for her husband to emerge from the bath chamber.

The sight of blood would once have flustered her but she was surprised by how coolly she had handled herself when she tended to her husband's bleeding nose, especially in the presence of others.

The door of the bath chamber opened just then and Kushi looked up to see her husband, bathed and garbed in merely a bath towel, strolling across the room in the direction of the wardrobe.

He had not spared her a look ever since they left the heated Gallery and had avoided her every attempt at trying to pacify his disposition. He had also stonily indicated that he could wash his wounds himself and needed not her aid.

This had hurt her but she knew he was justified, for what he had seen had not yet been explained and he was certainly hurt by how everything had turned out. He had to deal with his uncle and lie to the respectable father-figure, for the sake of keeping his sister's marriage intact.

Trying to busy her mind in thoughts that were not depressing, Kushi found herself recollecting that before the General had arrived and wrecked disaster in her world, she had been reading Lady Lavanya's letter. Kushi looked around, and stood pondering. Where could I have lost it?

Lord Arnav was passing by, dressed in his dark pants and immersed in the act of putting the buttons on his blue shirt, when Kushi turned around and almost knocked into him.

The unexpected contact with his distanced wife rocketed the rage in his tempered blood and he pulled her by her shoulders, "What do you think you are doing, Kushi?"

Kushi tried to wriggle free of his hold, "What do you mean? I was-"

An intolerant vein throbbed in his temple, deafening him to her flimsy words, "How many times have I told you not to be alone in situations where he could easily have you undefended? HOW MANY TIMES!"

His yelled demand snapped her forbearance and she dug her fingers into his arms, "Release me first and I shall answer you."

"I want no answer!" proclaimed the irate man, "I want obedience when I claim it!"

Shocked to her core, Kushi stared at him and realized how true the General's words were. No sooner had the General mentioned that the cruel, irrational man would never die, here he was, resurrected once again in flesh and blood.

Hot tears brimmed in Kushi's eyes as she spoke firmly, "Don't start on me-"

"How can I not?" claimed Lord Arnav, "Why do you-" He paused, his voice cracking.

That was when Kushi noticed the slight moisture in his eyes and, in astonishment, Kushi read the dire fear in them.

Instantly, realizing Kushi had seen it, he released her and turned away.

Swallowing hard, he frowned at the bed.

Kushi was still bruised from his domineering expectation of her obedience, but she couldn't stop herself from asking, "What is it? What are you afraid of?"

"I..." Lord Arnav began but he couldn't quite complete it. Tears threatened to fall and he had to turn his back to her so she wouldn't see. But this had brought him to stare right at the mirror that stood at the other end of the room, on which her concerned gaze was reflected to notice the tears.

"Arnavji?" Worried, Kushi stepped closer to her husband. It was the first time she'd seen his tears in this manner, like a lost child's weeping.

"Arnavji, what is it?" Kushi pleaded, her eyes crying for him.

"I can't lose you, Kushi," he whispered pleadingly.

"Why would you think that?" Kushi was taken aback.

"I..." Lord Arnav almost chocked on his words, "I had a dream last night-"

The images of last night's vision crossed his mind and his features contorted in fear. The impassivity, the detachment and the lack of love that had been on his wife's face in the dream... He had begun to fear its propinquity to reality. Every time he was away from her, he was tormented by the thought that when he saw her next, she would have learnt of something from someone and hate him for eternity. He wouldn't be able to sit still in the Industry until he was certain she was surrounded only by his thoughts and his love.

"Dream?" Kushi's fingers caressed his cheek lovingly, "Did my fearless Lordy get sacred because of an illusion seen in sleep?"

Lord Arnav looked at her, "I know you think it foolish but Kushi if you'd seen it yourself, you would-"

Lord Arnav paused, heartened by the kiss his wife had bestowed on his cheek.

"If I'd have seen a dream, I wouldn't let it doubt if my husband would leave me," Kushi assured him, before whispering, "I know you can't survive without me."

That proud advertisement of her worth turned his emotion around and Lord Arnav's gaze lit with mirth, "Try surviving without me!"

"That I would!" remarked Kushi casually, turning to walk away, "I think I would do well to be without a husband who always insists on giving me orders and rules like a master to a slave!"

Suddenly, Lord Arnav held her wrist and turned her to face him, anxiety wrought in his gaze, "Kushi, did I hurt you?"

Kushi only looked at him, bowed by the genuineness of his concern.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled dismally, "I'm sorry I let my anger-"

Kushi pressed her finger to his mouth, halting the utterance of his apology.

"You are the most pathetic apologizer in the world, do you know that?"

Lord Arnav gazed at her in amused affection, "Do you want me to show you my most authentic manner of apology?"

"Is it time consuming?" asked Kushi, trying to act unabashed though her cheeks had already attained a hint of red, "You see, Mamaji has insisted we not be late to lunch which is due in half an hour."

Lord Arnav pulled her close to him, his arms embracing her conveniently as he inclined his face down to hers, "Half an hour is sufficient. You'll be glowing with my apology by lunchtime."