Chapter 10

[MEMBERSONLY]

Hi everyone,

It was a pretty long break and thank you all for waiting patiently. I really appreciate it.

Harvest Moon Chapter 10

Khushi opened her eyes and was shocked out of her wits to see Arnav sleeping on the bed next to her. Then it dawned on her that she was actually in his bed. The steady rise and fall of his chest indicated he was deep in sleep. For the first time she saw how long and thick his lashes were, the sharp patrician nose and lips that were soft and kissable. Kissable? She rushed out of bed shocked with her train of thought. How could she even think of such things after what she had heard yesterday?

She pulled on her favourite denim and matched it with a printed t-shirt. Since it was still early she decided to go on walk. She made a call to Payal who told her that her grandfather had made the journey without any hiccups and that he had been admitted to the hospital in Wilmington. After a round of preliminary tests, a date for the surgery would be finalised. She sent a silent prayer for her grandfather hoping that the surgery would go well.

Her mother spoke next. “I can’t believe I am attending a wedding here when I should have been there for yours.”

“Amma, please,” Khushi implored softly, “You know why this had to happen this way. Don’t beat yourself over it.” She paused.

“It must have difficult to explain to people there, isn't it?” Khushi said in a small voice. Buaji would have had a field day blowing the whole thing out of proportion.

“Don’t worry about all that, titli” Her mother said fondly, “I will handle everything.”

“How is dad?”

“He will come round, eventually,” Her mother assured her. “You know Khushi, after having met Akash I realised that Raizadas are good people. He is such a sweet boy — so well mannered and helpful.” Khushi listened as her mother praised Akash, “I am relived that you are in good hands.” She wasn't in a position to tell her mother anything when she herself wasn't completely clear.

“The most important thing is that you are happy.” She concluded.

It was obvious she had got all the news from Payal. Khushi’s eyes filled with tears as she hung up.

What the stranger had told her yesterday only confirmed the doubts she had about Arnav’s deceit. She could confront Arnav about everything but would he be truthful about it? Would he accept that he had ulterior motives in marrying her? It was highly unlikely. He would probably come up with some kind of an explanation to cover up for all the deceit and she wouldn't have enough information to contradict him. She could hardly tell him that she had got her information from a stranger, could she?

“Where the hell were you?”

Arnav’s quiet voice startled her the moment she walked into the bedroom. Holding a cup in his hand, he sat on the high back ornate chair with his legs up on the coffee table.“What?”

“Who did you go and meet?” He demanded.

“What are you talking about?” Khushi said nonplussed.

“Since you seem to be safe and sound —”

“You thought I was kidnapped?”

Arnav shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “It has happened before.” He said. “Now that you are here I think you went to meet someone.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

“You were gone from the party for a long time last night.”

Khushi racked her brains to find something to say. She couldn't tell him that she was talking to a complete strange man. Then she remembered something. “Hold on for a second,” she said raising her hand, “if I am not mistaken, you were the one who left the party with friends.”

“I didn't leave,” Arnav’s back straightened.“At least not at first. I stepped out to see them off. They wanted me to join them for a drink. I told them I would have to check with you but when I came back in —-“ He paused, “You were busy — in the garden. Who was it you were talking to? Was it your ex-boyfriend from Delhi?”

“No — it wasn't him and he was not my ex-boyfriend!” Khushi said, her anger rising at his inquiry. Arnav had some nerve accusing when he was himself hiding so much from her. “How dare you talk to me like this?” she said flashing her eyes. “If not anything at least be respectful of my position.”

“What position?” Arnav raised is eyebrow. “As my wife?”

“No,” Khushi took a deep breath. “As the granddaughter of a Raja.”

Arnav was visibly surprised at the news. He stood up. “So your grandfather told you about it finally.”

“No he did not,” Khushi answered quickly. “I found a letter in his belongings that stated that the title had been bestowed on him after his cousin’s death.”

“So?”

Khushi couldn't believe he could be so nonchalant about it. “So — nothing. I understood why he was insisting on this marriage. He wanted me to have the lifestyle befitting someone with a title.”

“What title?“ Arnav looked as though he found the whole notion ridiculous. “I hope you know that the government of India hasn't been recognizing titles since 1971? More importantly — girls in the family don’t inherit these titles. No wonder your grandfather kept this from you.”

Arnav seemed to have done his homework thoroughly. But she didn't want to back down so easily. “But he seems to have told you about it. Was this after he sent you the marriage  proposal or did you know even before that?”

“What are you trying to say?” Arnav said quietly. He advanced a few steps toward her.

She had come too far to back out now. “The title may not be recognised by the government but being associated with Royal family has great benefits — from a business perspective —don’t you think?”

He was right in front of her now. “So you think that I came looking for you when you were being kidnapped so I could impress you into marrying me and use your useless title to improve my business?” The sarcasm in his tone was unmistakable.

He had to rub that in her face, didn't he? “Who knows?” She took a few steps back. “Maybe you didn't want people to think something had happened to me while I was under your roof.”

She continued. “Moreover, one massive Haveli and an important piece of land makes all the effort worth it I suppose.” She pointed out.

Arnav’s eyes blazed. “What the —-? The piece of land is so damn tiny —-”

“But one that’s worth a lot because of it’s location,” she countered. “That’s okay. You took an opportunity when you saw one. I admire your business acumen.” She said her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“That makes two of us then,” Arnav countered, “You seem to be viewing this marriage as a means to a luxurious life.”

Her behaviour since yesterday must have led him to this conclusion and there was nothing else to be done than to further confirm it. That was the only way to escape this marriage ultimately. “It’s sort of a give and take,” she said sharply, “If you look back in history — it is not uncommon for wealthy people without breeding to marry poor people from royalty. 

“I didn't know you taught history along with dance!” His eyes simmered with fury.

There was something she wanted to clarify, “It is better to be clear about the foundation of a relationship than to harbour delusions of love, don't you think?” She waited for his reply with bated breath.

He looked at her for long moments without saying anything. “With your performance at the farm house — you could have fooled me.” He said, “But I think the act started even before that didn't it?”

Not only had he not contradicted her, he had insulted her. What else had she expected? A heart wrenching declaration of love? “What about you?” She hit back. “Don’t think I didn't see through your act Mr Raizada,” she said, “I knew right from the beginning that you were pretending.

“Nanaji seemed to think this match was best for me and I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.”

The rigidness of his jaw showed that he was trying to control his anger. “It’s good to know that you at least care for your grandfather’s feelings.”

As though he cared for anyone’s feelings. “There is no need to have this holier than thou attitude. We were both pretending in front of my grandfather. You wanted to marry his granddaughter to improve your business and I wanted to escape from my mundane life back in Delhi.”

Khushi knew she was painting a horrid picture of herself but it was important to keep him away from her. “So now that he is not here, there is no reason for us to pretend anymore.”

“I don't know about that,” He walked back to the chair and sat down on it. “As you mentioned earlier — if this is about give and take, then there is my family to be considered here as well, don't you think?”

“Of course!” She could never imagine hurting Naniji or Anjali in any way. “As long as we pretend in public, I think we can go our separate ways in private.”

“I don’t think so.” Came the terse reply.

As the meaning of what he was saying dawned on her she desperately racked her brains to come up with an appropriate argument. “What do you  —

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. “Arnav?” Anjali's voice came from the other side of the door. “Are you and Khushi ready? We have to go to Talab mandir today.”

“I’ll get the door and you better hit the shower,” He dismissed her as the stood up.

On the way to the two hundred year old temple known as the Talab Mandir, Khushi sat in the back seat of the Toyota Fortuner sandwiched between Naniji and Anjali. Naniji explained the importance of the temple to Khushi.

“According to the puranas,” Naniji began. “Maa Sati the consort of Lord Shiva, immolated herself after her father Daksha insulted her husband”. “Holding the body of Sati in his arms, the livid Lord Shiva began to dance the Rudra Tandav. He opened his third eye which threatened the destruction of earth and heavens alike.

“The gods, feared for their safety and sought the assistance of Lord Vishnu who sent his powerful weapon – Sudarshan Chakra – to cut Sati’s body into pieces. 

Every spot that received a portion of Maa Sati’s body became a place of worship honoured as Shakti Peetha by the devotees of the Goddess. Each of these spots is honoured as a Shakti Peetha. Talab Mandir has the distinction of being one of the 51 prominent Shakti Peethas. This spot of the temple was blessed with Maa Sati’s right breast.”

  Khushi sighed inwardly thinking about the Gods who were ready to sacrifice so much for love and here, her marriage was rife with deceit. Her head was pounding and she hoped Naniji and Anjali wouldn't notice her discomfort.

She looked up at Arnav who was at the wheel, engaged in a conversation with Manav behaving as though nothing had happened. After the conversation in the morning, he had kept out of her way for the most part. He was missing even at breakfast. Just as she was wondering if the trip to the temple would be canceled, he appeared all of a sudden, ready to drive them all to the temple. He was freaking her out with his indifferent behaviour.

The outcome of the confrontation was not one she had expected. He hadn't really given her any straight answers. He had responded to most of her accusations with sarcasm and counter accusations. He had made it very clear that he expected her to continue the charade in front of his family members and she had no problems with that for she had developed genuine affection for these two women in the past couple of weeks.

But the “I don’t think so” at the end of the conversation in response to her proposal to keep out of each other’s way was one thing that was currently worrying her. She desperately hoped that she had heard wrong. How could they have any intimacy between them believing what they did of each other?

The temple had a structure similar to the Amarnath cave temple in Jammu Kashmir, and the pond looked so serene that Khushi felt at peace right away. They first visited the shrine of Lord Shiva who was known as Bhisan Bhairav before going to the Goddesse’s shrine. Khushi realised that Arnav and she were required to do a small pooja.

“What’s all this Nani?” Arnav demanded, his frown deepening.

“I know we are going to have a real wedding later —“ Naniji said, “but for all practical purposes you are married.” She paused. “Panditji here has told me that this pooja will help — just in case there are any obstacles.”

Naniji had no idea. There was no pooja in the world that would help them in solving the quagmire she and Arnav had gotten themselves into. But whatever anger she had toward Arnav, she would never think about hurting Naniji. Even though she felt uncomfortable playing a role in this farce, she waited for Arnav to refuse, for she was sure he would try and get out of the unnecessary element in their married life.

“Alright.” He said tersely.

Khushi was taken aback when Arnav accepted easily. There were so many shades to her husband she had yet to discover.

Later that night, Khushi stepped into the garden thinking about the day’s events. She was also perplexed as to why she didn’t feel the discomfort she was expecting during the Pooja that was restating them as man and wife, even as Arnav repeated the ritual of adoring her forehead with vermillion. It didn't feel wrong even for a moment. Khushi realised it was because her recalcitrant heart still beat for the man, in spite of her head telling her that it was wrong.

At dinner, there seemed to be an air of joyous festivity as Naniji regaled a particular incident that included her late husband and Arnav. Seeing Naniji having a hearty laugh with her grandchildren, guilt gnawed at her. She had seen her daughter and son-in-law pass on before her, her grand daughter’s marriage was destroyed and now, she probably hoped the best for her favourite grand son.

“Khushiji?” Manav’s voice broke into her thoughts.

“Hi Manavji!” Khushi spoke in a rush, “I just came out for some fresh air.” She seemed to be doing that a lot these days. “Is someone looking for me?”

“No — no,” He assured her, “I just saw you coming here and I thought I might join you for a bit.” His smile lit up in face. “May I?”

“Sure.”

“Did you and Arnav have a fight?” He came straight to the point after a minute of silence.

“Why do you say that?” Khushi asked carefully.

“It’s pretty obvious,” he shrugged his shoulder, “Arnav hasn't been himself the last couple of days.” Khushi could see the concern on his face. “You don't look too good either.”

In spite of the need to confide in a friend, Khushi didn’t want to reveal too much. Manav was Arnav’s friend after all. But there was no harm in asking him about something that was bothering her the most since yesterday. “Who is Sheetal Malhotra?”

Manav looked surprised. “Sheetal studied with us in school,” Manav said, “why?”

“Is that all she was?” Khushi said looking at his face closely, “A class mate?”

“We were all family friends — “ Manav hesitated.

“You are hiding something from me aren't you?” She prodded.

Manav looked at Khushi in surrender. He explained to her that in school, Arnav had a competitive streak and strived to excel in everything — be it academics or sports. He knew the girls were crushing on him but he preferred to hang out with boys.

“I think Sheetal had a crush on him but Arnav was clueless. He thought of her as a friend. After school,  Arnav and I went to Chandigarh and she continued studies in Moga. She would come down to Chandigarh to meet us.”

“He still didn't figure out that she liked him?”

“He did,” Manav nodded. “But he always thought of her as a friend. Whenever Sheetal called Arnav out, he always ended up calling me at these affairs, making me the ultimate spoke in the wheel.

“Oh come on!” Khushi groaned. “Don’t tell me he was not interested in girls at all.”

Manav gave a sheepish grin. “Not at all. He went out with other girls in his college.”

After Arnav’s grandfather died, he lost interest in all this. I think I told you earlier about this. He threw himself into work.

“Sheetal soon realised that Arnav was not into her and she went to US for further studies. She had always wanted to get out of Moga. In the US, she met businessman Karan Singhania and married him three years ago. She returned to Delhi a six months ago.”

“Is Arnav still in touch with Sheetal?” Khushi said, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

“He never lost touch with her,” Manav said and then looked at Khushi doubtfully, “Was this what the fight was about?” He demanded, his face showing clearly he wasn't happy. “Let me tell you something Khushi. Whatever you have heard, they are just rumours — alright? Arnav would never get involved with a married woman.”

“I am sure you are right Manavji,” Khushi smiled at him, “I am sure they are just rumours. It’s getting late and I better get back inside.” Khushi excused herself.

“Khushiji?” Manav said and Khushi turned around to look at him. “I am not married but I have heard that the first year of marriage is a really tough one. Whatever the trouble is — it can be resolved by talking to each other. Just hang in there, will you? I have known Arnav for a long time and he is one of the best people I know. You have nothing to worry about.”

Khushi smiled at him. “You are good friend Manavji. Thank you.” She walked away toward the house. It looked to Khushi like Manav was defending his best friend — not because he knew that Arnav wasn't involved but because of his blind faith in him. Just because Arnav wasn't interested in Sheetal during school and college, it didn't mean there was nothing going on between them now. Feelings change over a period of time, don't they?

A little later Khushi tip toed into the bedroom closet hoping desperately that she wouldn't disturb Arnav from his sleep.

Just as she was about to unpin the pallu, the closet door opened startling her. Arnav stood there just bare chested, dressed in his pajama bottoms. Khushi’s heart began to race at the unmistakable look in his eyes.

“What — what are you dong here?” Khushi stuttered.

Khushi wore a deep red saree with gold border and gold leaf patterned buttas on the body of the saree. She wore huge jhumkas on her ears and no other jewellery except for the mangalsutra.

Arnav’s heartbeat quicken at how stunning she looked. With quick strides he reached her and caught her hand. “Let me help you —” he whispered looking into her eyes. He undid the pin on her shoulder, turned her around and slowly began to unwind the saree from around her waist, never talking his eyes off her.

The blouse was almost sheer except for the cups and his sharp intake of breath was quite audible.

Steeling herself with great difficulty she said, “I think I told you that we should leave each other alone in private.”

“I disagree.” Arnav turned her so she was facing the long length mirror. His hands were at her ears, unclasping her earrings gently.

A jolt of lightning went up her body as Arnav blew warm air on the nape of her neck. As her breathing increased, Arnav’s eyes dropped down to the swell of her breast that was visible through the sheer material. His fingers brushed down her smooth back and hovered over the tie up of her blouse and Khushi’s mouth went dry.

Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she decided to seize the bull by its horns. “Why?” she demanded turning around, “Why do you need me when you have a girl friend in Delhi to take care of your needs?”

Arnav’s face turned hard. “Alright — you didn't tell me in the morning but you better tell me if you have been talking to that worthless ex-boyfriend of yours? Is he the one filling your head with all this crap?” He demanded, “He had no idea what’s going to happen to him if I get my hands on him!”

“Stop it!” Khushi was horrified by Arnav’s vehemence. “It wasn't Sam who I was talking to — it was someone else.”

“Who was it?” He growled.

“Why should I tell you who it was?” Khushi lashed out in anger. “Do you tell me everything? Did you tell me about your girlfriend Sheetal Malhotra?”

“F#$%!” Arnav swore loudly, “Sheetal is just a friend — not my girlfriend! I have known her since we were in school. She is married now for God’s sake!”

“She is separated from her husband is what —-

Before she could finished her sentence he grabbed her shoulder and his lips came crashing down on her. Khushi closed her eyes in immediate surrender, opening her lips in invitation. His tongue slipped into her mouth exploring it’s warm caverns thoroughly. Khushi felt helpless as heat began to pool at the pit of her stomach and she held on to this shoulders for support. She cursed her traitorous body for feeling such intense desire.

He lifted her up in his arms, “Did that prove that it is only you I am interested in?” He whispered as he carried her into the bedroom and laid her on the bed gently. He leaned down her, his lips just inches away from her.

“Leave me alone!” She tried to push at his chest. “I am not interested!”

“Firstly, you are very very interested — the farmhouse is proof of that. Secondly, you walked into this marriage willingly.” He placed a knee the bed. “I think you are old enough to know that this is very much a part of a marriage.” He smirked.

As she made a move to scramble away, Arnavs’ hand grabbed at her back. “Khushi!” As the thin strap that held the blouse together gave way, Khushi stilled.

“Sorry!” Arnav whispered, coming up behind her.

Khushi knew that if he touched her any further she wouldn't be able to convincingly stop him and she would be in this enthralling bondage for ever. She also knew there was only one way to stop him and against her better judgement she blurted out the damning words. “A gentleman would have adhered to my wishes,” she said her eyes filled with tears, “But you wouldn't know how to behave like one because you come from a lineage of farmers!”

Arnav moved away from her. “You and I both know that I have been ungentlemanly before and you have had no problems with that.

“Now all of a sudden I am too lowly for your highness? My lineage was never a secret. What’s going on with you? It feels like I have married your — twin.”

He had not said it, but he had definitely meant to say “evil twin”.

He continued. “What are you going to do? Punish me for my behaviour? Royalty no longer have rights to commit atrocities. No one can order a young boy to be whipped a 100  lashes because he was caught stealing flowers from the garden.”

It seemed like he was talking literally. Khushi turned around in shock. “Someone whipped you?”

“Not me — my grandfather. He was just a young boy at the time. But luckily for him a friend saved him from that fate or else he would have died that day. But there were numerous others that weren't so lucky.”

“Oh my God - that’s terrible!” Khushi’s eyes filled with tears.

“Don’t feel bad Khushi. I am not going to hold you responsible for your ancestors’ deeds.”

Khushi’s eyes went wide with shock. “You mean it was my ancestors who did this ?”

“Ramprakash Patial — your great grandfather— from whose son your grandfather received this title.” He walked out of the room.

The moment Arnav stepped out of the room, Khushi walked into the closet to change into her night clothes. The look of hurt in Arnav’s face when she had talked about his lineage had caused an answering pain deep in her heart. As she curled up in bed, tears began to flow from her eyes and continued till her head ached.

Suddenly she sat up. This was the debt that her grandfather had been talking about! It wasn't monetary. The Patials had wronged the Raizadas in the past and her grandfather was trying to make up for all that;

She could understand about the haveli and the piece of land but how could he include her in the redressal process?

Oh God.

I feel motivated to write more when I hear from you so do comment and feel free to give me your feedback.

You can also read this story here Arhi journeys