Chapter 5

Khushi's POV:

 

My eyes opened as the first rays of sunlight entered the room. It was a new morning and as usual I woke up with a smile on my face. I looked around at the unknown place and the unknown person who slept beside me. I sighed and got up like I had been doing this a hundred years.

 

Realization dawned in on me. I am married. My life has changed. I have to try and forget Shyam. How will I do that? I didn't know. I got up from the bed and went to the bathroom. There was a weird excitement and nervousness in me. How would I manage? What would I do? I felt helpless at that moment. The memories of last night slowly got back and I closed my eyes. I splashed water on my face and washed my hands with soap. I could feel his touch around me, on me. I squirmed from within. This was harder than I had thought and it was just going to get harder. I had planned my life differently but it didn't fall out the way I did.

 

When I went out Arnav had already gotten up. Where did he go? I went down to make tea but was surprised at what I saw. Arnav stood in his nightclothes making tea in the kitchen. I had always pictured him being a lazy one, only thinking about work, having a hundred servants around him doing his work. I thought of him as intimidating but instead he seemed down-to-earth and simple.

 

I walked up to him and he looked at me and smiled, "Good Morning Khushi!" he said pouring the tea into two cups. "I would have made the tea. Why did you get up?" "Ah! No problem. I m used to doing my work on my own and you must be tired. You have a lot to adjust to after yesterday. New life, new family, well not much of a family, its going to be just me and you. You have to spend your life with an unknown person, probably get to know him." I could feel the awkwardness he felt and I didn't know what to say. We had a quiet tea in the lawn and the fresh air blowing against out faces. I shut my eyes and took in as much as I could. 'Slow & Steady.' I told myself.

 

"Will you go to office today?" I asked him. "Yes, at 9. Why?" he asked.

"Nothing, just inquiring." "I know you are alone here but I promise I'll be back soon and then we could go out to see London city if you like!" I tried to smile. I took out a shirt and black pants for him on the bed. He came out in his towel. I blushed slightly and turned away. He stared at the clothes for a moment. I sat on the bed reading my book and sneaking one or two glances at him every now & then. 

 

{Arnav was feeling awkward seeing everything kept ready for him. He was used to doing his work himself and was very independent. Khushi didn't need to do all this. He didn't want to say anything so he just wore what she had taken out.}

Arnav combed his hair, put on his watch, put on a tie, applied perfume and then wore his shoes. He got up wore his coat and walked out. Before leaving the room he glanced at me. I was sitting there shocked to see the man work so fast.

 

"I'm going. I'll be back soon! If you need anything, please call!" I looked at him. Great. I was right. He is boring, watch, hanky, tie, hair and suit.

 

I was hungry now. I went into the kitchen and opened the fridge. The fridge was stuffed with food and before I could eat anything, the doorbell rang. I jumped up at the noise and went to open the door. It was a lady wearing an Apron.

"Good Morning Madam! I am the cleaner here." She said.

"Oh. Good morning!"

 

I went back to get something to eat. I switched on the television and saw my favourite show, How I Met your Mother! It was such a stress buster. I sat there munching on the biscuits and chips and watching TV. At least something was similar to my old life. The familiarity of my TV Show made me feel comfortable.

 

After sitting around and watching TV I was bored again. I didn't want to think about what was over. I couldn't take it anymore. The crying had driven me crazy. I had to be myself again, at least try. I thought of calling Buaji.

 

Buaji was happy hearing my voice and so was I.

"How are you?" she said.

"Buaji I'm fine! I'm missing you very much!"

"Don't worry honey. We will meet soon. Just two more days!"

"Yes Buaji, I'm waiting!"

There was silence for sometime.

 

"Khushi, someone told Shyam that you got married!" Buaji said suddenly and once again I got a shock. What? How? What would he be thinking of me? Why did Buaji have to remind me? What if he comes to know where I am?

 

"What? Buaji how is this possible?"

"I don't know Khushi, I thought it was important to let you know. I've heard that he is furious. Please take care honey, I don't trust that man!" Bui said a little frightened.

 

My eyes were watery. I didn't know how to react. I was numb. What should I say? Didn't I expect so? Didn't I want that to happen so that Shyam hates me for the rest of his life? Why was I crying? What was wrong with me? I am supposed to forget Shyam and not cry.

 

I said a quick goodbye to Buaji, hung up, went to the bathroom and cried my heart out. Again. Later when I came out I realized that Arnav's coat was already in the room. That means he was back. It was already 1:30pm. I didn't even realize for how long I had watched TV! I picked up his coat and kept it in the cupboard and went down. Arnav sat on the couch and his eyes fixed on the TV screen.

 

As I went closer he looked up at me. Seeing me come he stood up hurriedly and closed the television.

"What's the matter Khushi?" he asked with concern. I could see it in his eyes.

"Nothing. Why? What would happen?"

"Khushi your eyes are puffed up and they are red!" he stated.

"Oh. Nothing. I slept for a long time. And--"

"Its ok if you don't want to share, but don't lie. Its very easy to make out." He said turning away.

I was quiet as I stared at him in utter disbelief. He hadn't even known me for 10 days. This was the fastest marriage ever. How could he know me so well?

 

"Lunch?" he asked softly. I quietly nodded and served the food he had probably got from outside. Lunch was very quiet. He didn't talk much and I didn't have anything to say. I just picked on my food and barely ate anything. I could see Arnav looking at my plate every now and then. He didn't say anything to me but just got up in the middle of his lunch.

 

"I think I'm done." He said washing his hands at a sink nearby.

"But- you- haven't really- eaten much!" I said kind of worried.

"Its ok. I- I just don't feel like eating."

He was leaving when I realized it was because of me he wasn't eating. It was entirely my fault.

"Look, Arnav, don't leave your food because of me."

"I'm not doing it because of you. I'm just tired."

He climbed up the stairs and into the room.

I cleaned the table and put everything into the sink. I too went up and saw Arnav lying down on his side of the bed with his hand on his head. He seemed to be depressed. I sat on the chair reading my book. What should I tell him? How should I start a conversation? Should I start one? This is very weird. I barely even know him! Why did he leave lunch? Why is everything always going wrong?

__________________________________

 

It was almost dinnertime and ArHi hadn't even spoken to each other. Arnav was working on his laptop and Khushi was just doing some household work.

Arnav:  (thinking) What's wrong with Khushi? She cried today? Is she ok? And even during lunch she didn't eat much. I hope she is being able to adjust with me. I don't know how to explain to her that she is my wife now! And she can share her feelings with me. If she needs something; or if she disliked something I said; I don't want her to lie to me! But I don't know why I can't tell her anything! Her eyes had immense pain in them and I guess she isn't ready to share them with me yet. Maybe I could just wait for sometime or maybe I could go and cheer her up a little?

 

Arnav went down the stairs and saw Khushi going towards the kitchen.

 

"Khushi, What are you doing?" Arnav asked going towards her.

 

"Umm. I was just going to make dinner. Why?" she asked with confusion mixed with depression.

 

"Why don't we go out for dinner today? I could show you around!" He asked trying to make it sound like just a dinner and nothing too good.

Khushi studied the expressions on his face. She didn't want to go. But she was scared to say no. Already because of her he hadn't eaten much for lunch and now she would refuse. She had to try and make this marriage work so she just nodded.

 

"Ok then. Go get ready." Arnav said hiding his excitement.

Khushi went upstairs and got dressed for dinner. She didn't know where they were going, would it be an expensive place? She didn't even have such good clothes. She wore a Red saree with a thick black designed border. It was quite plain but it added to her beauty immensely! She looked gorgeous and slim. She went down wearing a set of black heels and the saree. She even put slight make up. Arnav was ready, wearing his NORMAL black coat and a shirt. Arnav smiled at Khushi and then they drove to a restaurant.

Ok that was wrong. It was a HOTEL! It was huge. They went inside. There were yellow lights and there were glass doors. The place was very elegant and expensive. Khushi put on her fake smile and kept walking along with Arnav until they reached a restaurant called The Ritz. The waiter took them to their table and gave them their menu cards. The waiter left them alone. Khushi looked at Arnav and then back at her menu card. Once they had decided what they wanted to order, they began to think about a topic to talk about. Arnav was very shy to start the conversation and by now Khushi knew that very well. She was just thinking of something appropriate. Maybe something she wanted to know about Arnav. But before she could say something Arnav started the conversation,

"So are you liking this restaurant?"

"Yes! It is very nice. Thank you!"

"You don't need to thank me Khushi!"

"Do you come here often?"

"Not very often. I have just come here once before, with a client. I usually eat at home."

"Ok."

And silence penetrated again. Not for long though.

"Which is your favourite cuisine?" Khushi asked. Just to shoo the awkwardness away!

"I like everything. I am not too choosy on food. But I'm a vegetarian."

"Ok. That's nice."

"What do you like?" Arnav asked.

"I like Chinese the most, but it doesn't really matter!"

"It does Khushi, it does matter!"

Khushi didn't understand why Arnav said so. They shared some more of their favorites until the food arrived.

They ate and Khushi's fake smile had vanished only to be replaced by a genuine one. 'Though Arnav wasn't very extrovert and interesting, he still was a sweet person, he wasn't choosy about food, clothes, shoes, or for that matter of fact anything! I wonder if these kinds of men still exist! Who would say he was a millionaire?' Khushi thought. After their dinner they went out and saw that it was raining heavily. There was thunder but no lightning! Khushi looked at the rain and cherished some memories with Shyam. Her eyes were teary but she didn't give way to them this time. She had learned how to control. Arnav got the car and she sat down. While going back Arnav stopped at an ice-cream parlour. He was about to go out when Khushi said. "I don't want ice-cream" Arnav turned around and then smiled at her. She was embarrassed. Maybe he wasn't going to get it for her? Maybe he wanted one. She must have seemed so stupid. But after two minutes Arnav returned with one cup of ice cream and it was Khushi's favourite flavour! He handed it over to Khushi, "this is for you!" Khushi was shocked! She had told him not to get ice cream but he still got one.

"I told you that I--" "Sorry, you had told me that you love ice-cream and never say no for it! So that's why I got it."

 

Khushi tried to smile but then again a thought passed her mind as she was going to take the first bite. Did he want them to share one ice cream? That's why he hadn't got one for himself. Oh god. What would she do now? She couldn't share an ICE CREAM with him! Have his Jhootha? No Way!

"Won't you have?" Khushi asked trying to control her emotions from coming out.

"No thank you!" He replied. That was so weird. Why? He was rich and he had everything! Then why was he so simple? What was wrong with him? Khushi always wanted to be rich! She always used to tell Shyam to earn a lot so that she could shop the whole day and spend a lot of money! She loved being pampered by Shyam and now when she had everything she just wasn't happy! Arnav had all the money she wanted and she could shop till death with that! But she still kept wondering WHY. WHY was Arnav so SIMPLE? How could he control? How come he was so introvert in a world like this? How could he HATE expensive, designer stuff!

__________________________

 

The Rain hadn't stopped yet; the winds blew hard making some noise against their window and the leaves made a rustling noise. Everything was fierce and In the middle of the night the doorbell rang. I was barely asleep so heard it. I quietly went down to see who it was. I was scared to open the doors. It was lightening outside. The second thought I had was that maybe someone was caught up and wanted shelter. I didn't know what to do, it was 2 o'clock and it could be dangerous to let a stranger in. I slowly went near the door as the person was making some noises.

 

I heard what he was saying. Khushi was in shock for a minute then I opened the door.  It was SHYAM. He looked disastrous. His hair was messed up and he was devastated for sure. In great anger he stomped into the room and caught me by my shoulder! Once again the lightning struck and thunder roared. I shuddered. I was speechless or rather I was so frightened that I couldn't move. It was as if someone had made me a statue.

"KHUSHI! You! I'm NEVER going to forgive you for WHAT you did to me!" he said as he gritted his teeth. My arms were aching. He was holding them too hard. I could feel the pain inside and I looked horrified.

"SAY SOMETHING GOD DAMN IT! YOU ONLY THINK ABOUT YOURSELF, DON'T YOU?"

He was screaming at the top of his voice and my eyes were filled with tears and I broke down. "No Shyam. No. You have no idea what—

"I HATE YOUU! AND WILL ALWAYS DO! YOU SUCK KHUSHI AND YOU WILL GET YOUR PUNISHMENT FOR THIS!"

 He had a grin on his face suddenly. I looked confused as he looked around the house. He spotted what he needed and then went towards it. I was hell scared. On one side the leaves & branches of the trees were shaking because of the strong wind and on the other side the lightning and THUNDER. everything was scary. The moment I began to move towards the place where Shyam went I saw what he had gone in for. He was holding a KNIFE in his hand. 

"COME MRS.KHUSHI SINGH RAIZADA!! I WILL GIVE YOU YOUR PUNSIHMENT!" Shyam screamed!

"Shyam. Shyam. What is this? You can't do this? No, no. Stop it!"

"WHY? YOU CAN CHEAT ON ME. I CAN'T! . YOU DON'T KNOW ME KHUSHI. WHEN I'm BAD I'm EVEN WORST THAN A BEAST!"

He moved towards me and I moved away from him. He caught me by the waist and I tried to set myself free. The door was still open and the strong wind entered the house. My back was against Shyam's chest and I was catching his hand and trying to release myself. His hold just became tighter and the knife neared to my face. My heart thudded loudly as I thought it was the end of my life and that maybe this was what I deserved. But my heart still wanted to be alive. To live! I couldn't believe what was happening. I was sweating hard and Shyam was holding me very tight. my stomach was aching and my hands were already bruised!

"Shyam. Mujhe Dard ho.raha hai. Chhodo. Please."

"SIRF TUMHE DARD HOTA HAI? SIRF TUMHARA DIL TOOT TA HAI? MERA TOH DIL HAI HI NAHI!!!!"

"Ouch! Shyam please. Leave me."

"NO KHUSHI! NOT THIS TIME! NOT ANYMORE."

"Shyam PLEASE!" I begged.

Shyam put the knife against my neck and rubbed it on my soft white skin. I could feel the metal against my neck and I flinched. My eyes shut and I was praying for my life!

"KHUSHII!" Came a voice from behind.

They turned around to see Arnav coming down the stairs! Khushi's world was shaken completely. He would come to know everything now!

"Who is THIS? What are you doing here?" Arnav yelled.

"Wait RIGHT there Mr. Husband!" Shyam warned. "Or ill cut her throat and you can keep staring."

"But WHY? Why do you want to do that?"

"Oh! So you don't know. Is it?"

He pushed me against the floor. I froze. I couldn't breathe much and my whole body was shaking with fear.

Arnav tried to run towards me but Shyam stopped him. He told Arnav everything. Then Shyam pulled me up by my hair while Arnav stood still and stared at the whole scene trying to digest the truth.

"OUCHH!" I screamed getting up from my bed, gasping for breath. I was sweating. It was a bad dream. Just a nightmare. I tried to calm myself. Arnav woke up too. He switched on the lights and stared at me with worry filled in those eyes, it was the first time I saw his big round brown eyes…

                                            ___________________________

I hope you had fun reading this update  I actually wanted to release the tension and awkwardness in this update so tried going horror/light today !

Hope you enjoyed it ! 

Waiting for your feedback and comments !