FF : There is a calm after the storm

Hello there Forum Friends :D I'm pretty hooked on IF now! And I've read so many amazing FF's and OS's that I'm quite skeptical about starting my own one but what the heck :D feedback is always appreciated. Looking forward to your replies!

Welcome to my first FF titled : There is a calm after the storm. Happy reading! Just a small note on what I aimed for when writing this. I tried to focus on Arnav and Khushi's feelings. And also, like everyone else writing FF's on this forum, I hope to voice what Arnav and Khushi truly feel for each other but haven't been able to say yet to one another on the show. This FF is dedicated to all the awesome readers who have stuck with me from the very beginning and to all the new ones who decided to give my works a read. You guys rock. Thank you :D

Chapters 1, 2 and 3 : Page 1
Chapter 4 : Page 2
Chapter 5 : Page 4
Chapter 6 : Page 6
Chapter 7 : Page 7
Chapter 8 : Page 9
Chapter 9 : Page 11
Chapter 10: Page 14
Chapter 11: Page 17
Chapter 12: Page 20

ENJOY :D



Chapter 1

Her bedroom was bathed in bright yellow sunlight and she was forced to open her eyes.
'Urgh,' thought Khushi to herself. Time to face reality. Yet again. She hated waking up every morning and facing the menacing day ahead because her life was nothing she hoped it would be. Infact, she wouldn't even call it a life. She loved going to sleep at night. Dreaming.. Escaping the real world and all the cruelty that it possessed.
After marriage, everything change. From her name, to her address, even to her personality. The once very bubbly and boisterous Sanka Devi was now just weak and feeble Khushi. Many women blossom after marriage and have a post-marital glow but the opposite was for Khushi. She lost even more weight and was now stick thin. Her eyes bore the hurt that she had been through. Dark rings encircled her eyes. If you had known her before then you would know something was wrong.

Whenever Khushi would bump into people on her way to her Buaji's house they would exclaim : 'Areh vaah, KhushiJi. You're married now. How did this happen?'
And Khushi would just smile and say, 'What God wills just happens.'
But silently, she didn't even know how it happened. Or why it happened. ArnavJi forced her to marry him. She had no choice because her sister's happiness was at stake. And she would do anything for her Jiji.
Initially Arnav and her were outcasted by their families. And Khushi didn't blame them. Marrying ArnavJi without anyones permission was so unlike her. Marriage was so sacred. Not a joke or a game that you can play whenever you felt like it.

After repeated attempts, their respective families had eventually accepted Khushi as the daughter-in-law of Raizada Mansions. However, this was not the start of a happy ending. No
Now Khushi needed to sort things out with Arnav...

***
That's Chapter One :D I hope it wasn't that bad. I'm gonna write Chapter 2 right now so hopefully everything will flow well :D
Feedback pretty please
X

Chapter 2

Khushi was tired of confronting ArnavJi and asking him the reason behind marrying her because he always avoided the question. He would say things like, 'I don't need to answer to anybody,' or, 'Don't act like you aren't glad to be married to a rich man like me. Now you can have everything you ever wanted.'
Whenever he waved his wealth and status in Khushi's face, she felt a stab through her heart. She wished he knew that to her, money was just money. She would much rather be in a marriage filled with love and happiness that one filled with lots of money and nothing else.

Since all her confrontations with ArnavJi were futile, Khushi had devised a plan to make him confess. It was a mischievous one but it was the only way. Khushi had to know the reason for this marriage and she had to know TODAY!
Khushi hopped out of bed and set towards the bathroom to freshen up and get changed. As she descended the stairs, she saw AnjaliJi and Jiji happily working on the morning breakfast. ArnavJi was out of sight.
'He must have headed off to the office early to avoid seeing me,' thought Khushi to herself.

She entered the kitchen and greeted and hugged Di and PayalJi. Ever since Holi, it felt like Khushi was now a part of the family. She felt accepted. But alas, there was no progress with her husband.
Khushi joined them in making breakfast and thereafter, everyone sat down to eat. Khushi was too excited about her plan to touch her food. Naniji noticed this and reprimanded her.
'Khushi betiyaan, kuch kha lo! You are looking so thin these days. And you need the energy.'
Khushi did need the energy. For her plan. So she nodded her head and ate a bit of breakfast.

Later that night...

It was 10pm and ArnavJi was still not back from work. This was typical. KhushiJi had spent the entire night talking to Di and Jiji and now they were both exhausted and retired to their rooms, leaving Khushi alone in the lounge to ponder.
She was so happy that her Jiji had found such an amazing husband like Jeejaji. He was sweet and caring. He possessed every quality that a man and a husband ought to have. Unlike that raakshas Laad Governor...
Before Payalji's wedding, Khushi felt that she was starting to see a different side to ArnavJi. When he thought she had been in an accident, he was so worried about her. When her glass bangle had injured her hand, he removed it and wrapped it up with such care. He even bought her bangles! Never in her life would she have imagined the mighty Arnav Singh Raizada buying her bangles. He had hated her so much! Khushi's hand flew up to her cheek and she smiled as she touched the same place Arnavji had once kissed her. It was so tender. So intimate. She will never forget that day. Even on the day of Payal's wedding, Arnavji kept smiling at her. And he had something important to tell her. But that confession never came.

It was like he flipped a switch that day and went from being the new, caring Arnav back to his old and mean self. Khushi wondered what brought on this new change. She was hoping her plan was a success so that all her questions will finally be answered. She deserves to know! She IS Mrs. Raizada after all.
Then Khushi's thoughts drifted to her amazing Di and her horribly cunning snake-of-a-husband, ShyamJi. What did poor Anjaliji ever do to deserve this? She showered her husband with so much of love, Khushi didn't understand how he couldn't love her back. She was so loyal. So faithful. She deserved better. Khushi needed to expose his devious ways to the entire family. But one thing at a time. First ArnavJi, then the Raizada family.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway. She checked her watch. It was 10:49pm. No visitors showed up that late. It could only be one person.

Him.

Khushi jumped up and ran to the kitchen. The time had come to execute her masterplan. She quickly prayed to devi maiyan for success in her endeavours before she started her tasks.
'Finally,' thought Khushi to herself. 'Finally all my questions will be answered...'

**
And that was chapter 2! Should I continue? Or was it a fail?
Lemme know
:)

Please continue

Okay I will continue :D I was gonna go back to bed and sleep for a bit but my mind is buzzing with ideas. So I'm gonna do chapter 3 now!

Nice start. Please update soon.

I hope this FF is as interesting as the other ones that have been posted up! Other writers have done such an amazing job. Salute to them!
Okay so here's Chapter 3.. My mind is filled with so many ideas! Hope it pleases :)

Chapter 3

Arnav entered the Raizada Mansion after a long day of work. He had heard the clinking of dishes in the kitchen and went to see who was awake. And who else was he to find but his wife. Khushi was busy at work. She probably sensed his presence because she suddenly stopped what she was doing and looked up. A blush crept on her face. She told him, 'I am warming up some food for you, ArnavJi. You must be very hungry after such a long day at work.'
Arnav's heart swelled. How could anyone be so considerate? How did she manage to still treat him with so much love and care? Especially after the way he has treated her?
Then.. He remembered.. She wasn't as innocent as she looked. She was a home breaker. A husband stealer. He cursed himself for feeling what he felt for her and glared at Khushi.
'Did I ask you to warm up food for me? No, right? Forget it. I'm not hungry. Just go to sleep and don't interfere in my life.' With those harsh words, he was gone.

Khushi felt her eyes stinging. She closed them and hot tears flowed down her cheeks. He always spoke to her like this. She should be used to it by now. But she wasn't. Each word hit her like a stinging slap. She didn't understand how anyone could love a man as hurtful as Arnav Singh Raizada. But she just did. With all her heart. And only God knew why.
'Time to stop wasting time and get back to work,' thought Khushi. So far, everything was going according to plan. She knew that ArnavJi was extremely hungry but would refuse to eat the food she warmed up for him. Phase One : COMPLETE

Now for Phase TWO...

Khushi had packed away all the food and retired to her bedroom, holding a tray with a glass on it. She slowly pushed the door open and entered the room with extreme caution, like she always did. ArnavJi had already changed into his pyjamas and was sitting on his laptop now. 'Doesn't he ever stop working?' Khushi muttered under her breath. She slowly walked towards him, tray in hand, and lay the glass in front of him. Arnav stopped working and looked at the glass. It looked like warm milk. Usually Di always brought milk for him at night. She said it will help him sleep better. And he needed all the help he could get because ever since this Shyam-Khushi debacle he had problems falling off to sleep. He wondered why Di hadn't brought the milk tonight, like she did every other night and concluded that she must have been asleep.
He didn't thank Khushi for the milk or even glance at her. Had he looked at her then he would have noticed the huge smile plastered across her face and the twinkle in her eyes. Arnav gulped the milk. It was warm and felt pleasant to drink. It also tasted slightly different, he thought. He figured it was because this time it was Khushi that served him and not Di.

Khushi left Arnav to do his work and went to the bathroom to change into her nightwear. While she was in the bathroom, she did a happy dance and yet again prayed that her efforts won't go to waste and everything will proceed according to plan.
Meanwhile in the bedroom, Arnav's head was spinning. The laptop screen suddenly blurred infront of him and he felt... Elated. Happy. Abnormally happy. How did this happen? He suddenly started giggling and upon hearing this, Khushi exited the bathroom with a look of triumph on her face.

'Kya plan hain, yaar,' whispered Khushi. And she patted herself on the back. Khushi knew that Anjali Di served ArnavJi milk every night. Tonight she requested to serve her husband herself and Anjali readily agreed. That's when the fun started! Khushi had remembered that there was some Bhang left over from Holi. So instead of the milk, she warmed up some Bhang for ArnavJi and got him to drink it! She felt bad for tricking her husband like this but there was no other way. It was a matter of their marriage and happiness. Right?!
ArnavJi started hiccupping. Khushi walked towards him. The moment had finally arrived.

Ab aagaya mazaa...

**
That was Chapter 3! Hope it was good :D Look out for 4, coming soon!

I loved all the parts. Please continue soon and pm me when u do.

Hey , nice start. Now waiting for updates.

Loved all the three chapters. They were awesome.

Thanks for all the encouraging replies all of you :) it made me smile!
Sorry I made you guys wait but finally.. Here's chapter 4! Enjoy!

Previously : Khushi was fed up of Arnav not telling her why she was forced to marry him. All her confrontations proved to be futile so she was forced to take other steps. Khushi got the idea to give ArnavJi some of the Bhang that was left over from Holi because she knew that wher Arnav was drunk, he spoke openly without limitations. Bhang made you speak about your hearts true desires. So for Khushi, there was no better idea than this one.

Chapter 4

Khushi smiled at her drunk husband. When he drank Bhang he underwent an amazing transformation. His scrunched up and tense face was now relaxed. He had no look of worry on his face. His shoulders relaxed. He laughed a LOT. To make up for his lack thereof when he was sober, Khushi presumed. His eyes widened with pleasure when he looked up and saw Khushi smiling back at him.
'Khushi, Khushi, Khushi. Come here,' he called to her.
Khushi obeyed and slowly walked towards him. He motioned for her to sit down and when she refused, he pulled her hand with such force that she ended up on his lap. Khushi blushed furiously. She hadn't been this intimate with her husband before. Apart from the Holi day... 'Vaah, I should make my husband drink Bhang more ofter,' Khushi said in her head.
Arnav tilted her chin up so that now they were looking into each others eyes and slowly placed her hair behind her ear. Arnav loved to do that. That piece of hair always came out of place and whenever he saw it troubling her eye, he fought the urge to tuck it behind her ear. Sometimes he didn't have to fight the urge. He just did it. Like today.

'Mrs. Raizada.. Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?'
Yet again, Khushi blushed at this comment. Her husband never complimented her like this. She wished he would do it more often because she felt good. She felt loved.
'Do you know how hard it is to be married to you... To stay in the same room as you... And not touch you?' A dejected look crept up on Arnav's face. Khushi's heartbeat quickened. He was leading towards the answer she so desperately wanted to find out, so she lead Arnav on.
'But why can't you touch me ArnavJi? Why do you hate me so much?'
Arnav looked away from her and bore a pained expression on his beautiful face. He looked so hurt. Khushi just wanted to take him into her arms and promise that she'll never hurt him ever. But she needed answers. So she pressed on.
'Kyun Arnavji... Kyun?'
'You hurt me, Khushi. You betrayed the trust I had for you. How could you do that to my Di? Di has only been loving towards you and this is how you replay her?' A tear crept from the corner of his eye. He instinctively lifted his hand and wiped it away before it became apparent that the mighty ASR was actually crying. And the reason for this was Khushi Kumari Gupta. The effect that she had on him was immense.

Khushi was taken aback my this accusation. She thought of all the things she had done in the past but none of them linked back to AnjaliDi. So how could she have hurt them both. Then.. A picture of ShyamJi popped up in her head. Khushi was shocked. How did ArnavJi find out about their engagement? Could it be about that?
'ArnavJi what do you mean? Please explain to me how I've hurt and betrayed you. Please tell me.'
Arnav looked into the distance and was thinking for a while. Then he turned to Khushi. He looked very upset. And this hurt Khushi. If she was truly responsible for breaking his heart then she could never forgive herself. Arnav opened his mouth and Khushi held her breath. Her long awaited reply was finally here. She listened to Arnavji intently and hang onto every word he said.

'Don't act innocent, Khushi. You might fool my family but you certainly can't fool me. I saw you with him. Hugging him.' Arnav's face distorted and he wore a disgusted expression. He looked like he felt nauseous. 'How dare you run after my Jeejaji like that? He was a married man! I thought you liked me Khushi. What did I lack?'
Khushi just stared back in complete shock. ArnavJi had thought that she and ShyamJi were an item? How could he even THINK something like that? Khushi felt dirty. Even thinking about ShyamJi that way made her feel impure.
'What are you talking about ArnavJi? Did ShyamJi tell you this?'
'Nobody needed to say anything. What I saw with my own eyes was enough. It needed no explanation.'
'WHAT DID YOU SEE?!' demanded Khushi. She was utterly confused
'Remember on the day of Payal's wedding when I needed to tell you something urgently? I was looking for you.. To come and tell you that.. That I.. I.. Lo.. I love you... And I found you on the terrace. With him.' He was furious now. Ready to punch something. Or someone.
Khushi was crying now. Arnavji actually loved her? Her heart smiled and danced. She couldn't believe this.
'You were hugging JeeJaji and told him that if he really loved you then he would leave Di for you. How dare you ask him that Khushi? How dare you?'

Arnav totally misunderstood the situation! How could she explain to him that she only meant well? She only wanted ShyamJi to leave Anjaliji because she deserved better? Because he was a horrible man and Di was too good for him. Khushi needed to expose Shyamji infront of ArnavJi. She had to! To prove her innocence. And she couldn't do it while Arnavji was drunk like this. She needed him in the correct frame of mind.
Khushi wiped away all her tears with her dupatta and looked at Arnavji one more time.
'Arnavji.. You misunderstood my intentions. And I will prove it to you. Sooner or later. And... The thing you said... You said that you loved me?' Khushi looked down and waited for his reply with bated breath.
'Yes... The one time I fall in love, the woman I love betrays me for a married man that turns out to be my brother-in-law. What luck, huh?'
Khushi was pained by his reply. He was heartbroken. And it was all because of her.
Khushi held Arnav's face in her hands and looked deeply into his eyes.
' I tried so hard to hate you, Khushi. But I can't. Why did you do this to me? I'm a mess.' He made a fist with his hand and pounded it against his heart as if to say she really hurt him.
Khushi said, 'I'm gonna prove myself to you Arnavji. I would never betray you like that because.. I.. Love you..'
With that, Arnav's eyes closed and he fell against Khushi's chest. He was fast asleep. She didn't know if he heard what she said or would even remember it the next morning. But finally saying it to him was like a weight lifted off her shoulders. Khushi covered Arnavji with a blanket and went to bed with one motive :

I'm gonna expose you ShyamJi. ArnavJi, Anjali Di and the whole world needs to see your true colors. But how was she gonna expose him?

**
How was it? Kept you in suspense I hope :) Look out for Chapter 5, coming soon!
Xx