Chapter 7

Mumbai.

 

As they landed in Mumbai Khushi promised herself not to think about Shyam  now. He was the past and now she had to move on in life with Arnav. Arnav was her husband and she had her responsibilities towards him. But the most important thing was that Khushi was beginning to understand him she knew that Arnav was very simple and humble and that she would never want to hurt him.

 

She stared out of the Mercedes and looked at the new city, her new home.  Khushi stared at the vast sea in awe. Arnav had been on the phone since they landed, making sure everything in office was ready. He was very serious with his work. Khushi was not too excited about her new life but was a little depressed to lose her old one.

 

Khushi was very warmly welcomed in her new home. But her eyes started to water when she saw Buaji coming out from one of the rooms. She ran and hugged Buaji as if she had met her after a year. Buaji too had tears in her eyes as she took Khushi in her arms. She was overwhelmed at seeing her little girl in a blue saree.

 

"I missed you so much Buaji!"

 

"Me too Khushi. You look beautiful." Buaji said and she broke the hug. Arnav respectfully touched Buaji's feet.

 

"How was your trip?"

 

"It was very nice Buaji." Arnav said.

 

"Yes Buaji, Arnav took very good care of me," Khushi said reassuring Buaji she was happy. She couldn't see her upset or unhappy.

 

Buaji was delighted on hearing this. She knew Arnav was a very good person and she wouldn't regret her decision. Arnav's Mamiji was there and she showed Khushi around. The house was huge and there were a dozen servants moving around doing the work assigned to them.

Arnav and Khushi's room was really big. In the middle there was a huge beige bed and the room was very simple and painted with light colours like beige, white, cream. She hadn't expected anything better. She knew Arnav was very simple and would like something like this only.

 

In Khushi's mind there was only one word to describe that room *Boring*.

 

That night Khushi and Arnav went to bed early after dinner as they were both very tired.

 

Khushi's POV:

 

The bed was soft and comfortable, but the discomfort was the awkward feeling that was within me as Arnav lay down beside me. The room was cool and we had to share a huge blanket. I couldn't sleep. I kept changing sides but I didn't fall asleep. Maybe it was a new place, thats why. Everything seemed very weird that night. It was like the first night we shared a bed. The memory of that night passed my mind and I stiffened once again.

 

I wasn't ready for being a wife now! I needed a little time to adjust with the new city and the house. In London, it was just both of us and I just had to take care of him. But here, his Mami-Mama, their relatives and I was sure I would have to attend many business parties if Arnav attended them. The last thought brought a smile on my face. Arnav was so simple. I smiled again.

 

*       *      *

 

The Next Day,

 

Khushi woke up early. She didn't know why, probably an old Calcutta habit, she got up had a bath and went down to check on the breakfast preparations. A lady was working in the kitchen and she was looking at the time every now and then. Khushi went inside and the lady shuddered..

 

"Ma'am, breakfast is almost ready, did you want anything else?" she said in a soft and nervous voice.

 

"So fast? What time does sir go to office?" Khushi asked. It was just 7:30am!

 

"I'm sorry Ma'am. I know I am late.." the cook apologized. She thought Khushi was being sarcastic when she said 'So Fast?'

 

"No it's ok. What is there for breakfast?" Khushi asked.

 

"Omelete and Cornflakes for sir, and Pulao for the guest, what will you like to have ma'am?" she asked.

 

"Oh. I will have the pulao. Does sir have this breakfast everyday?" Khushi asked. She knew the answer would be yes. Arnav was not choosy about food, remember.

 

"Yes ma'am, sir doesn't complain about the food, he is just strict about the time!" she exclaimed getting back to work seeing the time!

 

"Should I help you?" Khushi asked.

 

"Oh no, no, you may not take the trouble." The maid said.

 

                                               *          *         *

 

Khushi sat in the living room reading the newspaper. She was thinking of what to do the whole day when Arnav came down the stairs wearing his white shirt and black suit. How typical. Thought Khushi.

 

"Good Morning" said Khushi.

 

"Good Morning" Arnav said smiling. "Is the breakfast ready?"

 

"I will just check." Khushi said as she went to the kitchen.

 

The maid brought the food on the table and even Buaji came for breakfast.

 

"Good morning.." she said.

 

They reciprocated.

 

"Buaji, till when are you here?" Khushi asked.

 

"I will leave tomorrow." She answered.

 

"Why? We came back just yesterday!" Khushi said.

 

"Buaji, Wont you stay for our reception?" Arnav said.

 

"I will have to go. My flight leave gets over tomorrow!" she said.

 

"When is our reception party, Arnav?" Khushi asked.

 

"Its the day after tomorrow!" he said.

 

"Oh, I need a new saree to wear!"

 

"I have bought one already!" he said calmly

 

"What?" Khushi asked. 'NO.. He will get one of those simple boring sarees.. and I will have to wear it'' Khushi thought.

 

"No actually mami got it for you." He corrected.

 

"Oh.Ok." she was relieved.

 

Once Arnav left for office, Khushi sat with Buaji and they spoke about Shyam, properly. "Khushi, I think it's high time you forget about him," Buaji said. "I wish it was so easy Buaji, but I am trying'" she said. "Did he try and call you?" Buaji asked. "No." I said. 'That was indeed strange. I wondered why he hadn't called yet. He knew about our wedding and by now he must have found out who I am married to. There were a few guests at the wedding.' Khushi thought. "Look, I think even he is moving on'" Buaji said. "I hope so Buaji." She said.

 

Buaji went in for a bath. Khushi wondered what she would do all day?! In Kolkata she did the house chores, but here there were so many servants that she wouldn't have to move even a bit. Well, Arnav's Mami was coming over again to tell Khushi about Arnav's schedule and give her the keys. Yesterday they both were too tired to do anything.

 

She went to Buaji's room.. Buaji was sitting and reading the Bhagvat Geeta. Khushi went and sat next to Buaji.

After Buaji finished the page she shut the book and had a good look at her little girl. Khushi was smiling looking at Buaji..

 

"Are you liking Arnav?" was the first question Buaji asked. She was very worried for Khushi. She hoped for the best.

 

"What do you mean?" Khushi asked.

 

"I mean, are you liking it with him? Does he take good care of you? Does he talk to you properly?" She asked. "I was reading the Geeta and I realized that I never asked you about this earlier," she said.

 

"Buaji, Arnav is a very good person, I am sure he will always keep me happy." Khushi said.

 

"You didn't answer my question Khushi. Are YOU happy with him?" She asked again, stressing on the 'you'.

 

Khushi looked down. She didn't know the answer herself. She didn't know how to answer that question.

 

"Buaji, I don't know. Arnav is a very simple person and is very sweet. But our likes and dislikes are completely different. We aren't compatible. Almost everything he likes I don't and what I like he doesn't!" Khushi answered.

 

Buaji laughed at this.

 

"You're mad Khushi. You will get along with him just fine. Just give him sometime to get to know you and even you get to know him, then see, I can assure you he will always be with you!" Buaji said.

 

Khushi smiled looking at Buaji's trust on Arnav. She hugged Buaji once again.

 

"Now go and make lunch for him!" Buaji suggested. "And even for me!"

 

"But Buaji.. the servants are' Buaji didn't let Khushi finish what she was saying. "So what Khushi? You should still cook sometimes!"

 

"Ok Buaji' I'll make lunch!"

 

"So go make lunch!"

 

"But Buaji its just 10 now. I want to sit and talk to you!"

 

"Khushi, I'm not going today dear. and plus, Seema ji will come in some time!"

 

Khushi being an obedient daughter agreed to cook lunch. Next, she stood in the kitchen wondering what to cook. Arnav had told her he wasn't choosy for food but he was a vegetarian. Khushi had no idea what to cook. She loved chicken but couldn't make that for Arnav! She thought of making Roti, Dal and Aloo Gobi for lunch and along with that she could send some Mango pudding for tiffin. Mango pudding wouldn't take a lot of time. The cook stood traumatized in front of her. She wondered what grave mistake she had made. She looked apologetically at Khushi.

 

She got down to work and with the cook's help she finished the whole work in 1 hour! She packed his tiffin and sent it to work. She hoped Arnav would like it. She served the food on the table and called Buaji. Seema had already arrived and Khushi set the table for her as well..

 

"Khushi, What was the need for cooking darling, the servants are there." Seema said.

 

"No problem Aunty" She said.

 

"Oh, you should call me Mamiji, Arnav calls me that!"

 

Khushi nodded.

 

"Who all are there is your family?" asked Khushi.

 

"I have a Son and two daughters.." Seema said.

 

"Oh! How nice." Buaji said as Khushi smiled back.

 

There was something weird with Mamiji that Khushi noticed. She didn't know what but Mamiji didn't seem to like Khushi much.

 

"Would you like some?" Khushi offered.

 

"No thank you, I just had lunch," Mamiji said.

 

 

                                                                                 *       *        *

 

It was almost 5 but Arnav hadn't called yet. Khushi interpreted it on her own. She thought he didn't like the lunch. Or maybe he hadn't eaten today! Well, he didn't even know she made it. If he would have liked the food he would have called, guessed Khushi. Seema had left two hours ago after she had told Khushi everything and given her the complete charge of Raizada house, which was under her until then. She had given instructions to the servants to ask Khushi for their work and obviously what to make for dinner.

 

Khushi spent time with Buaji and the rest of the time saw TV or sat in her room reading a book.

 

After sometime she went downstairs to check on dinner and spent a good one-hour talking to a friend on the phone. She was very jealous of Khushi when Khushi told her she was married to THE Arnav Singh Raizada. Gauri, her friend, also told her that Shyam was heartbroken when he found out. Khushi instantly told her not to say anything about Shyam. Gauri was silent after that.

 

It was 8pm in no time and Khushi was busy getting the dinner ready. She expected Arnav at 9. Buaji had already had her dinner and was off to sleep as usual. It was 9 and there was no sign of Arnav. She went to the hall to watch TV. She told the maids to go as it was getting late.. She was furious! Couldn't Arnav call once to tell her he would be late? Couldn't he inform her? How irresponsible of him. She didn't know when he would come. He had forgotten that he no longer lived alone. Khushi was getting hungry but Buaji had told her to wait for Arnav. It wouldn't be right if she ate without him. On calling him, the phone was answered by his secretary to tell her that he was busy and would call later! That's all. She was angry, she didn't know why but she did care, she wanted him to come home. She was slightly worried also.

 

It was almost 11 when the bell rang. Khushi lazily got up and opened the door. Arnav stood there with his loosened tie and an angry wife glaring at him.

 

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A small sneak peek from the next update : 

'Khushi greeted everyone with a smile and handshake, but suddenly her smile vanished. She got goose bumps. The hall suddenly started to feel very suffocating and she started to sweat. In front of her eyes was the man she was running away from, the man who she wanted to forget, Shyam. He stood there with a fake smile on his face as he greeted Arnav.'

This is a small paragraph from the next update :)

Waiting for your feedback  Hope you enjoyed the update!

-Manjari.