Series of FF's on Arnav & Khushi : updated pg 165 - Page 87

Khushi, tired of pacing up and down the room, and feeling lightheaded without water sat on the bed and wished that time would fly. Pulling her knees up, she rested her tired head on her arms, and tried to keep her thoughts from warm jalebis, and paranthas ' and most of all a chilled glass of water.

**

Arnav opened the door of his room to see a bride sitting on his bed ' legs drawn up ' and head bent, covered under a glittering transparent red veil.

He had a sudden foreboding of watching Lavanya like that in his room, recalling that he had been furious with her then ' for not being Khushi'

He stopped and absorbed the scene before him ' Khushi sat in the middle of his ' no, their bed ' clad in a red bridal attire, her pretty feet peeping out from under the hem of the lehnga. Her bangle-clad arms were wrapped around her raised knees and her head rested atop them covered in a glittering translucent veil.

He felt his earlier irritation vanish. Shutting the door silently, he moved closer to the still figure on the bed, dumping his laptop on the table along the way.

She seemed to be chanting something; he cocked his head quizzically, trying to peep at her face under the veil. What was she doing?

Khushi felt his weight on the bed in front of her, as soon as he sat down. The prayer to her devi mayyiya stopped on her lips abruptly as she raised her head slightly to look at him.

Whatever it was that he was about to say, died on his parted lips, as Arnav started wide eyed at the picture of radiance sitting in front of him. The red dupatta covered her head; its glittering gold borders and baubles framing her already perfect face. A small diamond encrusted tika placed on her forehead, below which a small dot of red vermillion dust peeped. Her red glossy lips were slightly parted as she stopped whatever it was she was saying ' her toffee brown eyes staring at him ' er ' accusingly??

What the ' Arnav was taken aback '

'Khushi tum ' theek ho'' he asked instead, his greedy eyes continuing to take in the picture of loveliness that his wife was. He would never get enough of looking at her, he mused.

'THEEK HAIN?' Khushi burst out at him, famished and also angry at the feelings he could arouse in her with just a look. She had to stop melting every time he came near or touched her.

'Aap pooch rahe hain ki hum theek hain ' after 13 hours you are now coming here and asking me that '' she was all but screaming.

'But...' he started, wondering what this was now.

'But vat kuch nahi'' she continued her ranting, not giving him a chance to speak, 'aapko pata bhi hain ki''

'Par Khushi...' he tried again, controlling his own rising temper. Why did she ALWAYS have to cut him mid sentence? She knew how much that irked him ' was the only time she was speechless when he was making love to her?

'Hume kahan na ' but vat kuch nahi ' app samajhte kya hain apne aap ko ' app aaram se apni life jee rahe hain, as if nothing has happened' aur hum ' hum yahan ''

'KHUSHI KUMARI GUPTA'' he thundered in characteristic ASR style

'Hum Khushi Kumari Gupta nahi hain ab, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada '' Khushi again cut him 'wahi toh hum keh rahen hain ' thanks to you I am now the daughter-in-law of this house ' expected to ''

He stood up abruptly, his temper rising steadily now. The wave of giddiness returned as he shut his eyes to let it pass, standing with his back to her. He did not see her stand up, gathering her clothes about her and come to stand in front of him.

'Kahan jaa rahe hain aap ' humari baat khatam nahi hui '' she poked him in his chest.

He opened his eyes and looked coldly down at her accusing finger, then at her agitating face. A muscle clenched in his jaw, as he silently reached up and held her hand in his vice-like grip.

'' aapki vajah se hume subaha se kuch '' her voice trailed off as she registered his frozen furious face. She felt herself being tugged towards him, as he pulled her roughly by her hand close to his grim face.

He opened his mouth, to say something, then thinking better of it, pushed her away from him.

Khushi stood rubbing her bruised wrist, as she watched him stomp out of the room, picking up his car keys along the way.

**

'Ka hua Khusi bitiya?' Nani noticed her glum face, when she walked into the mandir where they were collecting their puja thali's to go up to the roof to wait for the moon rise.

Turning towards Anjali, she asked her to call and find out where Arnav was. It was time to break the fast, and she has specifically asked him to come home on time this morning. Wondering out aloud that he had been angry about Khushi being made to keep the fast and had stormed out without eating his breakfast either, she did not notice Khushi turn a bright shade of red, as she over heard what nani was saying.

And she had screamed at him' accused him for her plight ' little knowing that he had tried to get her out of it ' 'Uff, why didn't I listen to him'' she scolded herself, feeling terrible, her own hunger forgotten.

**

The moon shone prettily in the starlit sky as they gathered on the roof. Nani and Anjali watching indulgently as mami and Payal stood with their husbands by their side. Khushi fidgeted about, embarrassed at standing alone with them. She moved a little away from the group setting her stuff out on the table near her. Nani stalled Anjali who immediately got up to walk to where Khushi stood, gesturing to leave her alone.

Reaching for the sieve Khushi turned towards the moon to peer at it with a heavy heart. Why had she reacted and shunned him away? Why had she blamed him and not listened to him? Why '

Looking at the pale moon through her sieve and feeling wretched about what had transpired earlier, she suddenly felt a familiar prickle at the nape of her neck. Turning slowly, sieve held aloft, her eyes fell on her husband who was walking towards her purposefully. Watching him through the mesh of the sieve, she felt lightheaded as a wave of relief mixed with joy rushed through her. She took in his lean frame, dressed immaculately in his dark coloured suit, that hugged him perfectly, up to his set aquiline features, his trademark stubble, that grazed her soft skin when he' blushing she shut her eyes as a wave of desire rushed through her.

When she opened her eyes, he was standing within inches of her, staring back through the upheld sieve in her hand, his expression unreadable.

Putting the sieve down gently she then turned to pick up the silver pot of water, which she offered to the moon first before handing it to him.

Their hands grazed and she pulled in a breath. It always felt like he was touching her for the first time, as her skin tingled. She blushed and lowered her eyes, as she felt him continue to stare at her unabashedly.

'Chote, paani pilao bhi ab '' Anjali could be heard from across, a smile in her voice. She had watched indulgently, the smitten look on her brother's face, as he had walked across towards where his wife had stood. A rush of relief washed over Anjali, as she suddenly realized that her prayers had finally been answered. Her Chote, had found his soul mate, one that would heal his wounds and soften his heart again ' make him laugh and love him completely. Looking at Khushi, she knew that this was the perfect wife that he could ever have.

Arnav took the silver pot from her trembling hands and held it up her lips, his eyes never leaving her face. He watched her shut her eyes as she took the first tentative sip, his mind wandering back to the mandir where on Teej he had unknowingly also broken her fast. How angry she had been with him then, he mused, till he had held her close to himself when she had stumbled'

After the first tentative shy sip, Khushi held the pot firmly over his hand, and gulped the entire contents down her parched throat. He watched in amusement, the stay drops trickle down the side of her mouth, his smile vanishing as he held back an urge to reach out and drink him himself.

Taking a deep breath Khushi turned towards jiji to see her reaching down and touching Akash jiju's feet. She looked inquiringly at nani, and understood her indication that she was to do the same.

Turning back towards Arnav, she eyed him awkwardly, before deciding to go ahead and do it. She was about to bend forwards when his firm grip on her shoulders stalled her ' she looked up inquiringly ' 'no '' he muttered, 'you don't have to''

A wave of nausea washed over him again, as his hands tightened on her shoulders and his eyes shut momentarily. Khushi looked at him, instinctively knowing that something was wrong. Putting the water pot down, she reached out to steady him, as he swayed on his feet.

She looked towards the rest of the family, who had already started moving towards the door, mami loudly ordering Jaiprakash to lay the dinner, as she was famished.

'Aap ' aap theek to hain ...' Khushi asked him anxiously, searching his face for answers.

'I'm ok '' he mumbled instead 'don't fuss'' angry at the weakness that he was portraying in front of her. What on earth had possessed him to not eat or drink all day? His anger at nani ' his anger at this ridiculous tradition ' his anger that she was being forced to follow it ' or his love and concern for her ' his wanting to share her hunger ' to be part of her somehow '

You are losing it dude, he scolded himself. For one who does not believe in traditions and rituals, you're doing quite well for yourself ' keeping a fast for your wife. Jeeze! Who does that!

'Par aap' ' Khushi's voice brought him back from his ranting.

'Just give me some water'' he muttered, suddenly embarrassed at anyone knowing what he had done.

Khushi looked guiltily at the pot, that she had just finished. She looked around the terrace and saw a tray with covered glasses where nani and Anjali had been sitting. Running across, she brought back a glass and holding it against his lips, watched him gulp down the entire contents, just like she had a short while ago.

She needed to apologize, Khushi told herself, as she lowered the empty glass from his lips.

'Hume maaf kar dijiye '' she said pleadingly, 'I didn't know that you had tried to get me out of keeping '' her voice faded away as her wide eyes looked at the glittering line of water on his upper lip. She swallowed at the unexpected gush of emotions that raced through her. Unconsciously, her hand rose towards his face, missing his shocked expression, and touched his lips, tenderly wiping the water with her trembling hand.

Gathering her up to himself, with a groan, Arnav bent down to take her lips in a passionate kiss, but not before mumbling 'Happy Karva Chauth, wife.'

Just going to read and edit my comment :)

*Edited*

LOVED it completely...and especially when arnav said, " Happy Karwa Chauth Wife" Aww😍

Im still waiting for Khushi too find out that Arnav has fasted as well..but glad that they both atleast drank water for now. and I loved the beginning scene in their bedroom...their banters, bickering and fights are surely a trademark in their relationship! I had expected Khushi to faint but i guess it was Arnav who was the victim..almost lol!😆

Keep updatingg awayyy!!!!!!😳

U have some rest ...won't bother u for another 3 days deal?? LOL!!

Have a relaxing Sunday!!

Ash.