Prologue: I see Khushi as an eternal optimist she will always bounce back. That is why DM is always on her side.
This piece was written a few days back. So it might not gel well with the current track. I had in mind how much pain Khushi is going through and wanted some semblance of normality in her life.
Khushi came to her room after a long day. She was bearing the burnt from everyone. Insiders and outsiders at RM. It was like all of a sudden it was she against the world. She thought what is it that is causing this level upheaval in her life. Something somewhere has gone wrong big time. So many things were happening around her that she didn't have energy to think sane. She wanted to vent out her frustration somewhere. She had lost her best buddy DM. She was her Frenemie now. It had been a month since her wedding and she was living life in hell. Wait. Hell. Ok you go to hell for the sins you have committed. And you will know about it and will be given a chance to stand for the trial. Here it was not the case. So this is worst then hell. It was .. nothing came to her mind. Might be the worst of the worst culprits will meet a better treatment. She was not aware for what she was punished for. She in all her strength would undo her wrong doing for what she had been punished so bad. But only if she knew. She was sick and tired of the glares, mental abuses. No one was on her side. Akaash and Payal were always showing pity on her plight. And often her Jiji held her hand when no one was watching. Khushi wanted to be strong and the always tried to control the tears that were welling up in her eyes. Her only source of strength now was her babuji. She knew he trusted her. She knew he always believed in her . She was not a true orphan. Her angel was standing by her mutely and was her inner strength. She so wanted to see him once and be rest be assured that life is to move on and solve things then to crib and lose hopes. But right now what mattered was for her to vent out her frustrations. To bring a small portion of sanity in her life.
She saw her husband nowhere in their room. She looked for a piece of paper and a pen. She wrote the dates from the day she got married and six months hence forth. She crossed the days that had already passed. She felt an unknown power and relief with in. She felt her journey forward will not be that bad. All she has to do is come and look at this piece of paper. It will absolutely tell her how many days more of this suffering. It wasn't that bad as she thought. Then she saw the last day on that calendar. After this ? What was she supposed to do. Basic question. Where was she supposed to go. She had no one to call her own. Her babuji would welcome her with open arms had it been their Lucknow house. But he was staying with buaji who wanted nothing from her and disowned her. She couldn't beg someone to take her into their house when she was considered an outcast. She still had her self respect. Suddenly her life gave her a purpose. There was something to look forward to. She wanted to know what is waiting for her after this door of exit. After this 5 and odd months.
It was her parents death anniversary. She had to go to temple to offer special Puja. For them. She was doing it since she was 8. So she didn't want to miss it even though her equation with DM had changed now. She waited for right moment to talk to her husband. These days she noticed he had mellowed a lot. He was not rude to her. He even was nice to her. There was a huge shift in his attitude towards her. He was definitely making an effort to spend more time with her. He had many a times asked her how was her day. He made sure she didn't miss her dinner. No one even dared to talk ill about her with him around. So she thought to ask him a favor. She wanted to step out of RM after her wedding for the first time. She wanted to go to temple for her parents. She heard his footsteps. She waited patiently for him to settle down. As expected he got busy with his office work and laptop. She thought it was so funny that the sound of typing would either cause flutter in her heart or in the beginning of their wedded life caused so much pain. It was almost like she wanted to run away some where or take a sweet revenge by throwing in that pool. She didn't dare to though. Well as he settled she approached him with gentle footsteps. He ignored her for a second and not long. He directed himself to meet her eyes. Khushi almost felt like fainting. That piercing gaze almost as bright as sunlight but as soft as moonlight. She mustered all the courage she had left in her and cleared her throat. She began to speak and told him that she wants to go to temple as its her parents death anniversary which she has been doing all her life. More than anything his reaction shocked her. He got up from his chair , with his strong hold held her and looked at her for few seconds. And mentioned he will take her tomorrow and to be ready.
Next day Khushi finished her daily chores a bit early. She didn't want Arnav to get all hyper for not being ready on time. Rather she didn't want her day to get ruined. She wanted it to be perfect as she wanted some peace of mind today. She wanted to think about her parents and her days with them as short as it was. It was the best years of her life. Those 8 years. She was their little princess. Their heart and soul. She was their true happiness. Her life was full of merriment. Now it looked as if it was surreal. But it was what it was. She always had everything at the tip of her fingers. She made everyone fret over her for every little thing. She now thought that she was one spoilt brat. Finally she heard those familiar foot steps. It was time to leave for the temple. He came in and asked her if she was ready. She looked like a doll in that light pink tissue saree with embroidered sequins. A real fairy. The most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Straight from heaven. He couldn't take his eyes of her. He gave a little pat on her cheeks and gave her a pleasing smile. Khushi thought she had lost it. She could believe her husband smiled at her. It was first time in 1 month he has looked her like this. It was a transformation in itself Khushi thought. But brought herself back from her dreamland to reality and mentioned that they should leave as she wanted to be back home before lunch. Her husband pleasingly obliged.
The drive was as normal as it could be. Khushi thought it was a gift from heavens from her parents as the day seemed a page from a fairy tale book. She wanted to savor this every minute. Little did she know what was waiting in store for her. As she reached the temple she was helped by her husband and he escorted her to the inner sanctorum. Khushi was pinching herself really hard to make herself believe it was real. Too much she thought. And as soon as the pundit of the temple saw her he gave her a broad smile and asked her about her well being. Seeing her manglasutra and her sindoor he blessed her and said that explains for the long absent from the temple and he wanted to talk to her after the pooja about something. Arnav patted on Khushi's back assuring her it will be fine and giving her that comfort which she was looking for right at that moment.
Around 2 days back Payal had talked to Akaash everything about Shyam. Akaash had shared everything to Arnav . Arnav felt as if the very floor he was standing was devouring him. History had repeated itself. First time he had redeemed himself. Now he was not sure where to begin in first place. He had wept his eyes out remembering everything. He had hurt her very deeply. He was searching for answers. He loathed thinking about himself. He truly didn't deserve her. If only there was a way to redeem this time He didn't have any energy left to face his innocent wife. She was a victimized and in the most cruelest and inhuman way possible. She had been deprived of every girl's dream which is wedding. He was buying time to face her. He wanted to win back her trust and confidence and make her life as beautiful as possible. She had suffered enough and it was his responsibility to make it beautiful . He wanted to place her first in his life before anything. She meant everything to him.
So the pundit mentioned that there was this guy and a woman in her fifties who were looking for Khushi. They had seen Khushi in the temple around 3 months ago and just when they could catch her she had left. They were coming to temple almost twice a week in hope of meeting her. The pundit also gave Khushi the card which that person had left. Khushi saw the name on the card and stood still. Tears started flowing from her eyes. She felt another door opening for her. It was definitely the most wonderful day of her life. It was none other than her childhood friend Karan. He was looking for Khushi. Arnav read the name on the card. It said Karan Saxena ,Managing Director , Kashi Industries. He intently saw his wife and was trying to read her reaction. She looked flabbergasted. She was looking for physical support. He held her hand and took made her sit in a comfortable corner with pillar as support and his hand never leaving her.
Khushi was lost in her thoughts for some time. It was just tears that were flowing . Arnav held her hand just firmly and left her for her solitude. Thousands of thoughts were running in his mind. Some good and some bad. He didn't want to judge her anymore. He had already bitten twice. He wanted to start their life now with trust. Nothing could come in between them. Slowly Khushi began to speak. She said we were best friends. Karan and me. My dad and his dad were business partners. The name of the company is amalgamation on mine and his name. We were practically inseparable. He was 3 yrs elder to me and we had lots of fun together. Everything got lost (same as her present condition) on that fateful day. Her family and his family were going on a trip. And she wanted to be with Karan. So she was in their car. A drunken truck driver lost control and had slammed her parents car head on killing the driver and her parents. She became an orphan. Karan's parents had pleaded Garima and Shashi that they will take care of Khushi. But Garima didn't budge. Karan and Khushi were in touch following few years and he had been to London for higher studies and since then had totally lost in touch. She looked at Arnav and said I wonder why is he looking for me now. She asked Arnav if it was fine by him if she calls Karan. Arnav looked at the number on the card and dialed the number. It was Karan on other side. Khushi now in charge of the phone didn't have words to speak. All she could say was hello. And she said its Khushi. There was a brief silence on the other side and a shrieking sound. Karan wanted to meet Khushi immediately.
So it was settled that Karan would come to RM in the evening. Arnav saw his wife who was very anxious. She was meeting her best friend after eleven long years or so. There was this pang of jealousy that was eating him. He knew what Khushi thought about him at moment. Plain. She hated him. And if she knew what he knew now it would cause havoc in their already non existent marital life. He wanted to talk to her and apologies in first place. Before that could happen, this Karan had seeped in. He had a feeling of discomfort when ever he thought about this guy. He wasn't sure what future held for him and Khushi with Karan's presence. Finally they were summoned to the living room as Karan and his mom had arrived. Khushi ran without waiting for Arnav and lighted down the stairs as soon as she fast as she could. She was going to face her lives best days and Karan and his mom were the witness of that. It transported Khushi back to those beautiful days. She wanted to relive every moment of that. She saw Karan sitting on sofa. He was a grown man now. Very handsome. He was same height has her husband. But not as handsome as her husband she thought. He was little fair when compared to Arnav. He was in his casuals. Tara aunty was looking the same and a wee bit aged. Khushi ran and hugged aunty and sobbed inconsolably. Aunty hugged her tightly and gave all the love she could. Then it was Karan's turn. Khushi saw Karan and approached him. He squeezed her nose like how he used to do when they were kids. It was enough for Khushi to bring all the old memories back. She just hugged him and tried to relive her golden days. Karan pulled her back and asked her to introduce Arnav to him. Khushi was brought back to reality and she introduced Karan to her husband. Arnav pulled Khushi by her waist next to him and shook Karan's hand. He made sure there was some distance between Khushi and Karan. Karan took a note of Arnav's possessiveness. The rest of Raizada's were introduced. Karan said to Arnav had it been a little sooner than Khushi would have been his wife and winked at Khushi. Arnav clenched his fist and smirked and said well Khushi is his wife and he was the lucky one which made Khushi almost faint.
Casual talks went on for a while and Karan mentioned to Khushi how the industry had grown leaps and bounds. How he always wanted to get in touch with her and was not successful. Arnav was listening to their conversation very closely. Karan brought up the topic of their childhood adventures and how Khushi was always the tomboy. She was always ready to bend the rules. And how they both wanted to marry after attending a wedding. Khushi was giggling and Arnav in fumes. Karan in good humor said to Khushi that it was not fair on her part to marry this early and deceive him. Khushi blushed and just looked at her husband who was ready to explode. She just diverted the topic asking about Karan's stay in London.This conversation went on for quite sometime and it was time for dinner. After dinner Karan asked Arnav if he could talk to Khushi in private as there was something he need to talk to her. A part of Arnav wanted to say absolutely no but he had to heed to yes as it was expected of him. Khushi took Karan to informal living room . Karan held Khushi's hand and said he was happy for her as she found a nice family which brought tears in Khushi's eyes. He said if anytime in life she needed a support or shoulder to lean on, he was there for her. He always cared for her and always will and from now on will never lose to be in touch with her. And he gave her some papers. And explained that it was about the Kashi industries. Khushi was half owner of everything. Since she turned 18 there was a will that her dad had made . She was now worth millions in terms of money. And Karan said he was searching for her since last year like crazy and finally could meet her. He was that friend of her that she could call any time of night and he would be there for her.
Part 2:
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/iss-pyaar-ko-kya-naam-doon/2823501/ff-a-whole-new-light-part-2
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