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Chapter Five
Unsurprised
Khushi was always taught that karva chauth was the most important festival of a married woman, at least that was what she learned from her mother who used to fast religiously for her father. However, spending the day with her in-laws, she realized that perhaps she misunderstood it all.
After getting a house tour from Shankar, Khushi was whisked away by her sisters-in-law for an afternoon of shopping. She watched in silence as they insisted on buying her countless new sarees and chirped about everything and nothing at the same time.
Anjali, married for almost ten years now, had just recounted her husband, Shyam’s surprise for her that morning, when Lavanya jumped in and asked Khushi about Arnav.
“So did my duffer of a brother surprise you?”
Khushi looked at them, realizing that she would not be able to lie for much longer. Both of them seemed to know Arnav better than themselves. “Should he?”
Lavanya groaned. “Yes! Husbands are always expected to surprise their wives! You are being too naive."
“Is that why Akash looks so scared every time I mention a date?” Anjali interrupted with a smirk.
Lavanya shrugged. “I am just saying it’s a good idea to keep men on their toes.”
Anjali rolled her eyes. “It’s been a year Lavu, give it some more time before you start making statements on men.”
Khushi jumped in. “It’s only been a year? Was it arranged?”
“Yes,” Anjali replied, while Lavanya blushed. “Hard to believe since they seem to know each other inside out.”
Were all arranged marriages supposed to be like that, Khushi wondered to herself. Who was the odd one out? Her or them?
“So what surprise did you get this year Lavu?” Anjali continued. “Diamond bangles or a trip to some exotic city?”
Lavanya shrugged. “I am not that materialistic, okay? I asked him for a promise this year.”
“Which is…?”
“That he will spend more time at home,” she answered with a sigh. “He is always so busy with work that he never has time for me…”
Khushi didn’t understand what was so bad about that. A husband not at home was a husband who did not ask questions. But then again, maybe she had a different opinion on how marriages were supposed to work.
“That sounds like a promise Chote should give to Khushi,” Anjali replied. “Does he even spend time with you?”
Khushi felt both her sisters-in-law turn to her expectantly. She knew from the way they were watching her expression that this was a trick question. So, she settled for a believable yes:
“A little… it’s difficult with the merger. Even Vihaan, my brother, is very busy at the office nowadays.”
Lavanya seemed a little convinced. “So, you took my advice then?”
“What advice?” asked Anjali.
“I told Khushi not to be so quiet all the time,” Lavanya explained nonchalantly. “Arnav needs to realize that he is married now and can’t pull stupid stunts anymore.”
Khushi couldn’t help but notice Anjali’s usually comforting face contract into distress. Just like how she seemed miffed at breakfast on the first day after their marriage, now too, she appeared to be chagrined at the mention of her brother.
“He isn’t,” Khushi finally said, feeling the need to clear all their doubts about her marriage. “He really is just busy with work…”
The two ladies nodded, albeit uncertainly.
“In that case,” Lavanya said. “It’s a good thing you don’t live with my parents. Maa would have killed Arnav rather than letting him out of the house today. She takes karva chauth way too seriously.”
Khushi was glad for the change of topic. “Really?”
“Oh yeah,” Lavanya continued, shaking her head. “We usually have all the cousins come over and throw a big party at night. Apparently, it’s a Raizada thing.”
“So then why is it so simple this year?” Khushi asked, naive.
Anjali fiddled with her hands. “Well, there has been a lot going on. Papa just had the surgery, and then you got married… I think everyone needs a break.”
Khushi nodded, realization dawning.
She had spent enough time with Anjali and Lavanya by now to understand what they did every time they had to avoid telling the truth. Karva chauth celebrations in the Raizada Mansion weren’t cancelled because everyone needed a break, but because their brother needed a break from his one-month old marriage.
It was obvious from the way they posed their questions that they knew more or less what was happening back in the penthouse. They were just hoping to find a positive angle in the situation from Khushi’s answers, much like how her brother had fruitlessly tried yesterday.
Perhaps they should get points for caring.
By the time evening rolled around, panic began to fester deep in Khushi’s mind. Did Arnav read the post-it note she left him? Did he plan to show up and break her fast? Or was he thinking about opting out like the wedding night? And if he was going to disappear, did he at least inform his family? Or was she supposed to fend for herself and cover up the whole fiasco?
These questions trampled her mind while she played dress up with the other ladies. By the time the sun had set, and the moon was about to rise, she stood on the terrace of the Raizada mansion, nervous and in knots.
Akash had arrived a few minutes ago with a dazzling smile, faithfully carrying a bouquet of roses for Lavanya. They were sitting in a corner now, chatting about something that made the latter blush profusely. Anjali’s husband Shyam too arrived not much later, a grim expression on his face as his wife demanded something from him. They stood together at the ledge, muttering to each other. Shankar was occupied in a book, waiting patiently for Satya to finish dinner arrangements. Miffed as he was about not being able to fast, he still tried his best to support his wife.
Khushi was the only one standing alone, having no idea how to control the looming disaster.
Finally, the moon shone through the clouds, causing Lavanya to squeal in excitement and summon everyone.
Khushi watched Anjali and Satya exchange anxious looks, not knowing what to do.
“It’s okay,” she mumbled, almost numb to the embarrassment pulsing through her. “You guys go ahead. I am sure Arnav is on his way.”
Satya protested. “No Betiya, it’s okay. We will wait. Shyam, you said Chote was in a meeting, right?”
Shyam cleared his throat. “Yes Maa, I left a message on his desk to come home as soon as possible. He should be here any moment now.”
It was one hell of a long moment.
As the minutes awkwardly ticked by, Khushi wondered how big of a fool she must be looking like. She had lied the whole day, pretending to be happy in her marriage, when it was crystal clear that she held no importance for her husband whatsoever. Could it possibly get any worse?
Finally, after what felt like eons, Shankar stepped forward. “Let’s just go ahead without Chote, he clearly is caught up at the company.”
There was no anger in his voice, nor disappointment for that matter. He was practical, thinking about the present predicament and nothing more. Khushi respected that.
However, when all the ladies lined up in a row ready to break their fast, she did not join.
“Come on Khushi,” Lavanya said.
“No, it’s okay. I will wait for Arnav,” she muttered. No matter how understanding they seemed, Khushi knew her boundaries well.
Satya appeared pained to hear that. “No sweety,” she said, gently. “You will get sick, it’s already too late. You need to drink water.”
Khushi shook her head. “No, I am fine. Please don’t wait for me.”
Satya turned wordlessly to her husband for support.
“Khushi,” Shankar said, affectionately. “I know this is important for you, but Chote isn’t even picking up his phone, he might be stuck somewhere. You can’t keep waiting for him forever, can you?”
I don’t have a choice, she thought bitterly.
Out loud, all she said was, “I am sorry for causing so much trouble, but please-”
“Why are you apologizing Khushi,” Anjali interrupted. “It’s Chote’s fault for making us all wait, not yours. He needs to respect your time, so don’t wait for him.”
“Maybe he forgot,” Khushi mumbled, her head hanging in shame. “I mean I didn’t exactly tell him I was fasting-”
“Nonsense,” Satya interrupted. Holding Khushi’s arm, she gently led her to sit on a nearby chair and handed her a glass of water to drink.
“I really am fine-”
Her mother-in-law, it seemed, had made up her mind. “No Khushi, I am not going to listen to any more excuses. You did your part and fasted, don’t worry about the rest. Chote will have to understand why you didn’t wait for him. Now, please drink.”
Khushi knew they were empty words, the look of guilt on all their faces said everything she needed to hear. But despite resenting all of them a month ago, at that moment, all she wanted to do was tell them not to worry. It wasn’t their fault their son didn’t show up.
If her father was present, of course, he would have undoubtedly blamed her for Arnav’s absence. The fact that not even a single one of them pointed a finger in her direction made her thankful to them more than anything else.
So with a smile on her face, she accepted the glass of water and broke her fast. The Raizada ladies followed suit, and even though they put on a good smile, she saw the worry etched in their eyes. No wanting to trouble them anymore, Khushi requested to retire to her room and promised a suspicious Satya that she would eat her dinner there before sleeping.
Once alone, Khushi stared out of the walled-sized windows into the clear starry night, all signs of hunger gone. It had been an eventful day; there was so much about her in-laws that she was completely unaware of. Her instructions from the moment her marriage was confirmed with Arnav had been crystal clear: you are marrying the heir apparent to the Raizada family, they need an obedient girl, not an insolent one.
And yet, from the first day of her marriage to now, all that the Raizada family did was go out of their way to make sure she felt welcome and accepted. It seemed they knew exactly what their son was, and in fact, felt answerable for his actions, when all her father ever did was make sure that he wasn’t blamed for her mere existence.
As Khushi continued waiting for Arnav, wondering what on earth was so important that he wouldn’t even pick up his family’s calls, she drifted off into an exhausted sleep.
And just like she had predicted, he never showed.
Again.
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Comments (2)
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Jai Shri Ram @SoniRita
+ 32
3 months ago
Ouch ASR how could u do this, u didnt even break Khushi KC fast ugh
Jai Shri Ram @SoniRita
+ 32
1 years ago
Poor Khushi, she kept KC for him n he never showed up. Feeling bad for Khushi.