Chapter 17

Khushi woke up in the morning, her heart a little heavy when she saw the empty bed next to her. Arnav was in Delhi for the past two weeks and she had stayed back for Naniji and her school work.

She missed him terribly. It was like she had big hole in her heart. She couldn't sleep at night for wanting him.

Since the first time they had come together in the midst of the fields, Khushi had discovered that she was in some sort of an entrapment with Arnav. She not only needed him but craved for him. Arnav had permeated into her being to such an extent that she couldn't think anything beyond him. 

She knew that this sort of attachment was not good for her but it was like she had no control over her own body anymore. She could't quite understand this enthralling bondage she had formed with him.

Khushi came down to breakfast and saw Naniji seated at the table. "Bitiya," She said her eyebrows creased with worry, "I realised that my Lucknow trip is not 26 but 20th."

"That's tomorrow Naniji!"

"I wanted to leave on 26th but I couldn't get tickets and was forced to book for an earlier date. I completely forgot."

"That doesn't matter Naniji." Khushi assured her, "I will help you pack."

"But how will stay here all alone?" Naniji lamented.

"I can manage fine Naniji," Khushi said, "I have to go to the US in a few days anyway."

"I have a great idea!" Nanji exclaimed emphatically. "Why don't you come with me till Delhi? You can go and stay with Arnav for a couple of days and leave for the US from there. You flight is from Delhi anyway." She said, "With Anjali and Manav away in Singapore, you had to stay back in Faridkot for my sake."

"Don't forget I have my job."

"Mr Bedi won't mind if you take few days off," She dismissed it. "He managed without you all these years, didn't he?"

"I am not sure Nani," Khushi said, "I will think about it. When I come back from school, I will help you pack."

After finishing school, Khushi sat on the bench under her favourite tree thinking about what Naniji had suggested in the morning. Mr Bedi wasn't too happy when she had asked him if he would be okay if Navneet substituted her for a few days. A friend of Navneet had also volunteered to help but the old man was hesitant as he had grown fond of her. 

"A penny for your thoughts Rani Sahiba."

A shiver went down Khushi's spine at the voice she had heard only in the darkness of the night before now. She looked up to see the stranger who she had met in the garden. He sported a beard and wore dark glasses just like the other night in the garden and that was exactly whey she hadn't been able to remember his face in the dimly lit garden area. If he was trying to make himself look sinister, he was doing a pretty good job of it.

There were not too many people in this stretch of the street and fear crept up her spine. She stood up and began walking away from him.

"What happened Rani Sahiba?" He said coming up behind her. "Is this what I get for giving you so much information last time? I have to tell you that I was disappointed that you didn't act on my warning. Nevertheless, I have something very important to tell you again""

"No I don't want to hear anything!" Khushi felt drops of sweat trickling down her back, but she didn't want to let him know that. She stopped and turned around. "I will create a scene if you don't leave me alone." She warned him.

"You didn't have a problem talking to me the last time." He reminded her.

"Well I have learnt my lesson about not talking to strangers," she hit back, her eyes flashing. 

"Fair enough," he acceded, "let me introduce myself to you then. My name is Shyam Manohar Jha " I am Anjali's ex-husband."

Khushi was astounded at the piece of information and she stood speechless. 

"From your expression, I take it that you haven't heard about me," he drawled, "as far as the Raizada siblings are concerned, they would love to believe that I don't exist.

"If you have come out of your shock, may I suggest going to some place so we can talk?"

"I " I don't think so !" Khushi exclaimed, "I have to go home."

 "I don't mind following you till your house," he said casually, "I am only worried that Naniji might suffer a light heart attack if she sees me. It's your choice."

"What the hell do you want?"

"There is a small restaurant here and I suggest we go in and talk."When Khushi hesitated he said, "It's a public place. What am I going to do?" He shrugged his shoulder causally.

Khushi made a quick decision and followed him into the restaurant. She wished Anjali had talked more about her ex-husband the other day, so she could have been prepared for a day like this. Even Arnav had never spoken to her about this man. 

"Look Shyamji," Khushi implored, "there is no point in talking to me about anything "-"

"Don't you want to know what kind of person you are living with Khushiji?" He showed her to her seat. "I already told you last time but you don't seem to be taking me seriously. He was instrumental in taking Anjali away from me." He took the seat opposite her.

"Why would he want to ruin his own sister's life?" Khushi whispered desperately.

"He hated me to the core from the beginning" thanks to his best friend Manav who poisoned him against me," he said, "Manav was obsessed with Anjali even though she had no interest in him."

Anjali's words came back to her.

"I loved Anjali so much and she did too. But in the end those two managed to pry her away from me.

"Now that Manav has bamboozled Anjali into marrying him. This is what he wanted all along."

"Shyamji," Khushi said firmly, "Manavji did not "bamboozle" Di " he is not that kind of person. Di is very happy with Manavji."

"More importantly " Arnavji is not the kind of person who would do this to his sister because his friend influenced him to. He is an intelligent and rational man."

"That's true," Shyam agreed surprising Khushi a little.  "I am not sure about rational but he is definitely very clever," he said derisively, "Anjali is joint owner of the house that Arnav is fighting the case about. It will be most convenient for him if she was single rather than married."

"Now you are just making up things as you go." Khushi's eyes flash with anger. "I have actually confronted him about pretty much everything you told me and he has clarified it for me. I think there is nothing else you have to tell me. So I will get going ""

"He is trying to cheat his half sister out of the inheritance you know."

"I don't believe you !" Khushi exclaimed emphatically. 

"You don't believe me "" He said looking at her intensely, "" or you think he has all the right to cheat her."

A knowing look suffused his face. 

"You are different from the last time I saw you," he continued to stare at her, "you have slept with him, haven't you? I have heard that he is quiet the lover boy."

Khushi was shocked at how direct he was.

"How dare you!" Khushi's eyes flashed with anger.

Shyam was undeterred. "You have joined the Arnav "fanclub". Let me tell you that there has been a long list in the past " and as I mentioned to you the last time " a special someone in the present as well."

"If you are talking about Sheetal " then I have already confronted him about that. He has told me that she is just a friend."

He laughed an oddly eerie laugh. "He has gotten into you pretty deep, hasn't he?" He snickered, "He tells you she is just a friend and you believe him. I feel really sorry for you."

"Manavji has also told me "" She stopped herself but it was too late. How could she allow him to see that there was some mistrust between her and Arnav?

"Of course Manav will say the same!" Shyam pointed out. "They will cover for each other " no matter what.

"Has Manav also told you Arnav has been meeting Sheeta in Delhi " at her apartment " late at night?"

"That's enough!" Khushi stood up, "I don't care if you follow me. I am leaving!" She began to walk out.

"Don't worry Khushiji " I am not going to follow you," he called out, "I have said all that I wanted to say. Don't forget to check your e-mail later."

"Oh God!" Khushi stopped in her tracks. "You were the one who sent me that article about Arnav's parents!" She exclaimed. 

Shyam sneered. "I knew the Raizada family would be tightlipped about their shameful past. So I decided to enlighten you about it."

"I should thank you for sending me the article," Khushi said with a small smile on her lips, "a big misunderstanding was cleared because of that. The Raizadas have nothing to be ashamed of about their past." She defended vehemently.

"Wow!" Shyam's lips twisted derisively, "He has you wound up in his pinky finger. Since you seem to be worshipping the ground that he walks on, I think you don't even care if he is having an affair. You are in an entrapment Khushiji. I know the feeling. I felt the same way about Anjali. But see where I am now. 

Khushi hurried home the word entrapment ringing in her ear. It was strange that Shyam had used the very same word she had though about this morning. 

The following day, Khushi sat with Naniji in the foodcourt of the Delhi airport. 

"Khushi bitiya," Naniji said, "You know I am going to Lucknow " to my Guruji's ashram," she paused. "Some unexpected things happened and they happened too fast. I know all that happens is the will of God but I need some clarity. I believe that this trip is going to give me that clarity."

"I will miss you Naniji." Khushi said with a heavy heart. She had been deprived of the love of a grandparent as she grew up and had genuinely grown close to this dear old woman.

"I will miss you more bitiya," Naniji said softly, "I am so glad your grandfather brought your proposal to us. For the first time in years, I have seen happiness in Arnav's eyes even though he doesn't express himself too much. 

"After I get back, we will have to prepare for the wedding rituals for you and Arnav."

"I think we should think about Di's wedding first."

"Anjali wants to have a quiet wedding " a court marriage," Naniji revealed, "her first wedding was very grand and she doesn't want any reminders of that. Manav has no objection. But I am sure his parents will at least want to have a decent reception. I hope that is resolved by the time I get back. It would be nice if we could have a double wedding."

Khushi helped Naniji check-in her luggage at the counter of Jet Airways for her onward journey to Lucknow. She hugged her warmly and watched the old woman walk up to the security check-in. 

After exiting the airport, Khushi stepped outside and was immediately engulfed by the cold air. Suppressing a shudder she hailed a taxi. 

After a long ride, the taxi stopped in front of her destination. After paying for her fare Khushi walked up to entrance of the building and gave her identification to the security guard. This was one of the high end luxury apartments in one of the plush residential areas of Gurgaon. 

"Namaste Madamji!" The man wished her warmly surprising Khushi. Weren't security guards supposed to be more suspicious of guests? The man was extremely friendly and didn't even raise his eyebrow when she said she had come to meet Arnav. He escorted her to the elevator and punched in a few buttons. "This will take you directly to Sir's apartment." He said. The thought that the security guard was probably used to ushering strange women into Arnav's apartment inadvertently crept into her mind.

When she stepped out of the elevator she realised what the man had told her. Each apartment had it's own private lift lobby. 

When Khushi rang the bell, the door opened and she saw no one at the door. Then she heard Arnav's voice. "Ashu " I just need a few more minutes. I have left the cheque for the loan amount for the house maid on the dining table." She stepped in to see Arnav's retreating back as he walked away from her toward a narrow corridor. 

Khushi was speechless as she looked at the ultra modern apartment she was standing in. There was a huge living room with dark brown leather sofa set with matching curtains across really large sliding glass doors that probably led to the patio area. Looking at the contemporary furniture, the decor and the art work on the walls, Khushi had no doubt that this apartment was done up by a professional decorator.

"Khushi?" Arnav's eyes went wide with shock as she came back into the living room. "What are you doing here?"

Khushi was herself in for a little surprise when she took in Arnav's appearance. He was clean shaven with his hair trimmed a little shorter. He wore a wine coloured slim fitted full sleeve shirt on black chinos. His silver bangle was missing from his wrist. 

Khushi explained the reason fore her sudden arrival. 

"Why didn't you call me ?"

Khushi got the feeling that Arnav wasn't happy to see her. "I wanted to surprise you." She said in a low voice.

Arnav touched her cheek. "Hey I only asked you because I wanted to bring you her myself.

"But it's good you came here instead of planning to stay there all alone," Arnav said, "don't ever try to do something like that."

Suddenly his phone beeped indicating he had a message. "Khushi, I am sorry but I have a meeting tonight which I cannot avoid. I am already running late for it." 

"Come "" He picked up her suitcase and waked toward a narrow corridor until he reached a door at the farther end. He opened it. "This is the bedroom." He left her suitcase on the floor and walked to the bed to pick up his blazer. He shrugged into it and checked his appearance in the dresser mirror. "You can freshen up and sleep here after dinner."

"Aren't you going to come back for dinner?"

"It's a dinner meeting and I will be very late, so don't wait up for me." He told her as he walked back into the living room. He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. "There's enough food here. Help yourself " I am sure you are hungry." He walked to the door and opened it. Then he turned around.

He walked toward her quickly and holding her shoulders, he pulled her toward himself and took her lips in his. When Khushi stiffened a little Arnav pushed her against the wall and increased the pressure on her lips. She gave in to her desires and opened her mouth. As he explored her warm sanctuary, all her awkwardness melted away and she pressed herself to him with abandon thrilled to find that he was equally aroused.

Then his phone rang again. "God, I wish I didn't have to go," He breathed. "Bye!" he said before stepping out.

As she sat down for dinner a little later Khushi couldn't help but wonder about Arnav. He was a far cry from the kurta clad man who toiled in the fields of Punjab. Here in Delhi, he looked suave and stylish like someone who could feature on the cover page of Forbes magazine. 

Payal's words brought a smile to her lips. She thought about what Payal would say if she saw him like this.

Who was the real Arnav? The one she met in Punjab or the one she had just seen here in this plush apartment worth crores.

The next morning Khushi woke up to see Arnav propped up against the headboard his nose buried in his laptop, his tousled hair falling on his forehead. His bare chest and shoulders sent prickles down her spine. Now he looked like her Arnav, didn't he? She was unnecessarily worried.

"Did you sleep well?" He said without looking up at her.

"Yes." Khushi admitted, "I slept like a log."

"I agree. You didn't even muster when I slipped in beside you late last night."

"What time did you get in?"

"Must have been close to 3 AM."

"And you are up early again."

"There is usually a huge backlog of work here when I go to Punjab during the sowing season. What are your plans for the day?"

"I thought I will go and meet the principal at the school I used to work for."

"Excellent. Finish up early so you can visit the spa late afternoon."

"What for?"

"There is a party you need to attend tonight."

"What party?"

"You know Sheetal right? She is having a fashion show for her latest collection. There will be an after party."

Khushi felt her anger rise."Why didn't you tell me that you have been meeting Sheetal?"

"I am not "meeting" Sheetal, Khushi!" Arnav raked a hand through his hair exasperation, "I have been having "meetings" with her on a professional front. I am organising the event for her " I mean my staff is but I have to take a special interest because she is also my friend."

"I don't want to go to any party!"

Arnav put away his laptop on the night stand and leaned down and kissed her lips. "Why not?"

"You " you are obviously tagging me along because " because I landed here unannounced." She  managed to mutter in between his kisses.

"That's not true." His brown eyes simmered as he kissed her again.

There was no way he was going to distract her with his kisses. She pushed at his chest. "If I hadn't come you would have attended the party all by yourself." She got off the bed. She stomped into the bathroom and banged the door shut.

After her shower she got dressed and stepped into the living room to see a woman in the kitchen making breakfast. She turned around and smiled at her warmly.

"Madamji, namaste!" She said cheerfully, "my name is Preeto. I am the housemaid and cook. Your breakfast is ready."

"Where's Arnavji?"

"Oh he left for work already," she said, "He didn't even have breakfast before leaving."

Guilt racked at her when she heard this. She had behaved like a recalcitrant child. 

Why was she letting Shyam get to her?

Later that afternoon, Khushi sat in the car after winding up her work at the school. Khushi had been glad to see that the substitute teacher at her school had taken care of the annual day preparations with the guidance she had provided via e-mail communications. The principal had congratulated her on her wedding and hoped that she could come back to work for them sometime in the future. 

As the vehicle trudged along afternoon traffic on the Delhi streets, Khushi's stomach rumbled and she thought of Arnav would had left without breakfast. She decided to call him but to her dismay she found she couldn't reach him.

"Ashuji," Khushi tapped on the older man's shoulder, "I need to speak to Arnavji. Do you know how to reach him?"

"He will be in a meeting all afternoon madamji," Ashu said, "I am afraid you won't be able to talk to him."

A little later when the car turned into massive building Khushi was taken aback. "Ashuji " where are we?"

"This is SR city building m'am. Arnavji asked me to bring you here for your " appointment."

"Appointment?" Khushi said and then remembered that it was probably the appointment for the spa which Arnav was talking about in the morning.

As Khushi tried to get over her husband's high handedness, Ashu led her to the spa. A woman dressed in a uniform walked upto her.

"Welcome to Orchid Spa m'am,"she told her crisply. "My name is Carolyn and I am the manager here. Your package has been booked by Sir. We will be starting off with ""

"I am a little hungry right now," Khushi cut her off, "I wasn't expecting to come here actually. So let me grab some lunch and then come back."

"That will not be necessary m'am," the woman assured her, "Sir instructed us to provide you with lunch here and I believe we have your favourite  cuisine " chinese," the woman said with a smile. "Please come this way. After lunch we will start with your facial."

The woman sounded very authoritative but Khushi didn't want to make a scene in front of the her and she decided to comply for a little bit. She would come up with an excuse after the facial so she could exit from here as soon as possible.

Khushi ate her lunch which was a sandwich and bowl of  freshly cut fruits. After lunch she was asked to change into a short cotton wrap under a robe and led to a semi dark room which seemed to have four beds separated by curtains. The therapist led her to the far end of the room.

"Please lie down on the bed m'am." The shy girl told her.

The therapist who had worked on her had wonderful hands and was doing a great job and in a few minutes, Khushi  begun to relax. After a while she began to apply a cold paste all over her face.

"M'am I will be back in fifteen minutes so the face pack can dry." She whispered as she switched off the lights.

"Please come back in time," Khushi requested the girl and prepared to get bored for the next fifteen minutes. Then she heard a voice from the bed next to hers. 

"You know I met Sheetal the other day " at her boutique," a female voice spoke suddenly startling Khushi. She turned her face toward the voice instinctively.

"Oh what did she say?" It was only when she heard another voice did she realise the woman was speaking to another friend.

"She was super chirpy " exuberant." She paused. "Now that a certain someone is back in town."

"You mean Arnav Singh Raizada is back in Delhi?"

"Sushhh Ani!" her friend exclaimed, "No names here. You know this spa and hotel belongs to him. The staff will tell on us. 

Khushi couldn't believe Arnav owned a hotel. Is that what he had meant when he had said he was organising the fashion show ? There was so much she didn't know about her husband.

"I guess they will be carrying on from where they left off." the first woman called Ani said.

"Come on Sonal!" the other woman said, "Those are just rumours. She is a married woman and now so is he."

"She is pretty much living in the apartment where she has her office " everyone knows that," Sonal whispered, "They say there's no smoke without fire."

"Do you have any idea about the girl he has married?" the other woman enquired.

"His grandmother arranged the marriage for him " the girl is the granddaughter of her husband's friend."

"How do you know all this?"

"Sheetal told me."

"No way!"

"She told me she was some small town girl. Imagine if she comes here and sees Sheetal. It will be such a big shock for her to see the fashion designer who is no less than a model herself."

"I agree"" the second woman said, "It's not like Sheetal is very beautiful " she just uses her sex appeal and her bitchy attitude to perfection."

As Khushi digested all this, her therapist came back and finished up with her. 

"Are there any other services you would be taking today m'am?" the girl asked softly.

"Yes, I do." Khushi heard herself saying. 

As she showered a couple of hours later, her entire body tingled with rejuvenated energy from the Calendula treatment she had been subjected to for a good two hours. Normally she would have dismissed these things as a waste of time and money but today it had given her a boost of confidence which she so badly needed. 

As she stepped out, the therapist whose name was Antwan led her to the changing room and Khushi was surprised to find the hostess waiting for her.

"M'am please choose your dress for the evening," she waved her hand toward a stand that had three dresses hanging.

"What's this?" Khushi said.

"Sir has sent these dresses for you m'am." The lady explained. "If you can pick one, then we can go and have your makeup and hair done accordingly."

He had thought about everything hadn't he? Did he think that she wasn't capable of doing this herself ? He was making sure she would be primped and pruned like a prime race horse. He couldn't have her embarrassing him in front of the sophisticated designer lady, could he? If this is what he wanted, so be it. She walked up to the dresses and checked the label of the designer. Sheetal Malhotra.

Later that evening as Arnav stood talking to a few of his business associates, he saw their jaws drop and their eyes go wide. Thinking they had probably seen one of the models of the fashion show he slowly turned around with a smile on his lips only for it to be wiped away when he saw who it was.

Khushi looked stunning in a strapless red gown with a sweetheart neckline, that was ruched at her tiny waist, hugging the curves of her hips, tapering at the thighs to fall in a brush train. 

Arnav walked toward her, his caramel brown eyes simmering.