FF: Khushi Ke Aansoo Part 2 @ pG 14 - Page 9

At night, Arnav returned from office. He took out his sweatpants and a tee and went to washroom to freshen himself. After freshening up, he came out of the washroom and stood in front of the dressing mirror. He picked up a can of deodorant and found the small silver box of sindoor lying on the table. Arnav's face turned red hot. He picked up the sindoor box and was about to throw it away when Anjali came on the door.

"Chote, khana tayaar hai. Jaldi se neeche aa jao." (Chote, dinner is ready. Come fast.)

"Haan…haan di aata hoon."(Yes, Di I'm coming.)

Arnav kept the box back on the table and went with Anjali.

Arnav sat on the chair and Anjali served him dinner. Anjali called Khushi. Hearing Khushi's name, Arnav looked up and found Khushi coming with a bowl in her hand. Her hands were trembling a bit. She came and stood next to Anjali. She took a quick glance of Arnav, placed the bowl near his plate and went away. Arnav picked up the spoon lying on his plate and resumed his dinner. Anjali placed the bowl bought by Khushi into Arnav's plate.

"Khushi ne kheer banayi hai, aaj shagun hota hai meetha banane ka. Pehle to wo jalebi banana waali thi par jab usse pata chala ki tumhein meetha mana hai to ussne kheer banayi hai. Tum khao sugar free hai." (Khushi has made Kheer for you, its auspicious to make something sweet today. First she was making jalebi but when she heard that you are not allowed to take sugar, she prepared kheer. Its sugar free so you can eat it.)

Arnav looked over Anjali's shoulders and found Khushi sneaking from the kitchen's door. She backed as she found Arnav looking at her. Arnav picked up the bowl and took first spoon into his mouth. Khushi again sneaked from kitchen's door to know Arnav's reaction. He said "Its good" and took another spoon into his mouth. Khushi's lips curved to a smile. Arnav saw her smiling.

Arnav was sitting on his recliner and working on his laptop. Khushi entered quietly, trying not to make any noise but her anklets were making noise which disturbed Arnav. She quietly went near the bed and placed her hand below the bed to pull out the trunk. As she pulled the trunk, it produced a screech sound. She looked back at Arnav who was staring at her. She understood that the noise disturbed him. She took out her clothes and quickly pushed the trunk inside. She went inside the bathroom and hanged her light yellow coloured chicken salwar suit on the peg. She washed her face and as the water moved into her eyes, her vision blurred.

"You know what, I don't care. If you want I can give you divorce right now." Arnav said

Khushi was crying and nodding her head in no.

"Aap aisa kyun keh rahe hain. Aapne apni marzi se hi to humse shaadi ki hai na." (why are you saying like this. You married by your own will. Yes or No?)

Arnav remained quiet on the argument given by Khushi. Khushi was trying to find answer in his eyes. "Aap kuch bolte kyun nahin hain. Nani ji ne humse kaha ki aap humse shaadi karna chahte hain toh hum tayaar ho gaye. Humne toh aapko dekha tak nahin tha aur aap shaadi ki pehli raat ko keh rahe hain ki aap iss shaadi ko nahin maante. Humaare amma bauji toh bachpan mein hi guzar gaye the humaari dekhbaal ki zimmedari nani ji ki thi, hum bas unko jaante hain aur unhone jab bhi humse kuch bhi kaha hai humne kabhi bhi mana nahin kiya."(Why are not answering my question. When Nani told me to marry you I agreed. I haven't seen you before marriage and you are saying on the first night of our marriage that you don't agree to this. My mother and father expired when I was a child and responsibility of my upbringing was given to Nani, I only know her and that I have never disagreed to anything she has asked for.)

"Would you please shut up."

"Hum kyun shut up? Aap aise nahin keh sakte ki aap ye shaadi nahin maante."(Why should I keep quiet? You cannot say that you don't agree to this marriage.)

Arnav grasped her hands and pushed her against the wall. Arnav was so close to her that she could feel his breath.

"Jab koi aur kuch keh raha ho toh usse sun lena chahiye. Maine shaadi ke liye mana kyun nahin kiya ye main tumhein batana zaroori nahin samajhta. Jaise tum Nani ko mana nahin kar sakti, main bhi nahin kar sakta."(When someone is saying something you should hear him. I don't think that I should tell you the reason. Like you cannot deny to Nani, me too.)

Khushi was quietly listening to whatever he was saying. Tears were continuously flowing down her eyes. Arnav's grip on her hand was very hard.

"Tum ye baat samajh lo ki main tumhein ek pati ka pyar nahin de sakta. Aage tumhaari marzi, tumhein options de diye hain maine." (Its better if you understand that I cannot give you love of a husband. Now, its your wish, I have already given you options.)

Arnav saw blood driping from Khushi's arm where he was holding. He quickly removed his hand and saw that the bangles she was wearing were broken and one of the broken piece was inserted in her wrist. Arnav held her hand and pulled out the broken piece.

The water was dripping from her face and she was looking at the small scar made by the bangle on her wrist. She touched it and felt the Arnav's touch of last night as he removed the broken bangle from her hand. She looked at herself in the mirror. Like every girl she also dreamt for nothing more but a love for his life but in lieu she got nothing. She changed her dress and returned back to the room.

Arnav's words were echoing in her head "Behtar hoga na tum mere kisi kaam mein taang adao aur na main tumhaare." (Its better if you don't come between my work and neither I in yours.)

Arnav was standing near the cupboard.

"Main yeh almirah khali kar di hai, tum issmein apna samaan rakh sakti ho." (I have emptied this almirah. You can keep your stuff here.)

Khushi looked at Arnav as he moved to resume his work. She quietly transferred her stuff to the almirah.

After few minutes Arnav closed his laptop and moved to bed on which Khushi was sitting already. Arnav pulled up the covers and turned to sleep. Khushi picked up the pillow and stood up. Arnav spoke, "Tum yahaan so sakti ho. Mujhe koi problem nahin hai." (I have no problem if you sleep here.)

Khushi could see the back of Arnav from where she was standing. She placed the pillow back and lied down to sleep. As there was a single comforter, she decided to sleep without it. Khushi turned off the lights and moved to the extreme corner of the bed to sleep with her back towards Arnav.

In the morning, with the ray of sun falling on his face Arnav got up. He saw Khushi sleeping on the extreme side with her hands puffed near her knees as if she was feeling cold. Arnav looked at AC display, it was showing 19 C. He grabbed the comforter and spread over her. He could see her getting comfortable with the warmth of the comforter.

I am sorry for updating late. I hope the english translations are clear to the readers. Thanks a lot for welcoming my first FF on ArHi with such a overwhelming. Do leave your comments, criticism and suggestions.