Heyyy :) Chapter 9 is coming your way right now! But before that.. Do any of you guys know how I can post a cover page for this thread with the different chapters and page numbers? I have no idea. Clueless. Help?! Thank you so very much :)
Chapter 9
After being bombarded my the entire Raizada Parivaar with millions of questions, Arnav told everyone that he was tired, had a long day of work the next day and needed rest. So he retired to his bedroom. He walked aimlessly toward his room, taking ever so slowly. Khushi observed that something was definitely off with him and she was dying to know what the problem was. He was her HUSBAND after all. She wanted him to share his sadness with her. She wanted to comfort him and tell him that everything will be OK. But she knew in her heart that he won't let his guard down. Arnavji built a wall around himself. He kept his feelings and hurt to himself. He never let his guard down and allowed anyone to get too close to him. 'And now nothing will ever be right. My entire plan was ruined. Arnavji will never learn the truth about ShyamJi,' Khushi told herself. She had given up home completely and agreed that living quietly in the mansions for the next 3 months was her best bet. Then she would divorce Arnavji and then... And then she didn't really know what would happen. Maybe she can open up a sweetmeat shop and sell Jalebees to support herself. Or teach children. She loved kids. She couldn't go back and stay with Buaji. No, she didn't want to be a burden on her aunty. And she couldn't get married again. She's only ever loved one man and Khushi firmly believed that there was no longer place for any other man in her heart. A tear fell from Khushi's eye and before she knew it, she was shaking with tears. Her future had never seemed so bleak. All that awaited her was darkness. Little did she know that Arnavji had already learnt the truth about ShyamJi, and her plan wasn't a fail after all...
Back in the bedroom, Arnav was lying on his bed with his head propped up on his elbow and he was staring at the ceiling. He was looking at the intricate wallpaper. But he wasn't really seeing. His mind was lost in thought. Khushi.. Innocent.. Love.. Hate. His thoughts were interrupted by the opening and closing of his room door. He locked eyes with Khushi. That moment seemed to last forever. He was hoping that she could read his eyes. And understand how sorry he was. He noticed something else.. Her eyes were red. Was she crying? Arnav immediately got up from the bed and closed the distance between him and Khushi. Khushi was shocked by this and took a step back. 'Please don't do that, Khushi.'
'Do what, Arnavji?' Khushi replied. There was a hint of sarcasm in her voice. And.. Was that hatred? Arnav winced.
'Walk away from me like that. You know I won't do anything to hurt you.' Arnav sounded hurt and so sincere. Khushi was taken aback. Why was he being so different today, she asked herself. She almost felt sorry for him. The pain in his voice pierced through her heart and she felt like embracing him. More tears began to fall. Arnav began to wipe them away.
'Shhh. Don't cry, Khushi. It hurts me to see you hurting. Please don't cry.' They looked into each others eyes. Arnav placed his hands on her cheeks and hugged her. Khushi was utterly confused. And curious. Why was he being so... Nice to me today? She wasn't complaining though. It felt good to be treated well by her husband. But then she remembered. This wasn't his true self. The real ASR she knew was cruel. Harsh. He was like acid. Every word he spoke stung her. Khushi drew back from Arnav and turned away.
'Why are you being so different with me today? You hate me. Say it. Why aren't you telling me that today? What do you want? Tell me!'
Arnav was hurt by the contempt that Khushi showed towards him. But he didn't blame her. He had made her like this and he hated himself for it. He hated himself for telling her that he hated her. He hated lying to her because each day his love for her blossomed in his heart like a flower in spring. He was drawn toward her like sunflowers that turned to face the sun. She was his reason for living. And even despite thinking she was cheating with ShyamJi, he still couldn't hate her. 'Don't say that. I... I don't hate you, Khushi. No matter how hard I may try, I could never hate you.'
Khushi slowly turned toward him and looked up at him quietly. Her eyes were full of questions.
'How do I explain to you, Khushi. It's complicated.' Arnav walked away but Khushi grabbed his hand. Arnav immediately stopped with shock. He suddenly became aware of the softness and warmth of her hands against his rough and cold ones. He turned towards her.
'Tell me, ArnavJi. You can tell me everything. Please don't hide anything from me. I'm your wife. Please.' Her eyes were filled with tears now. Arnav wanted to shout ' I LOVE YOU, dammit! I tried to hate you because I thought you and ShyamJi loved each other! And that's why I married you and treated you so badly. But today I realised that you were innocent. And I think a part of me knew that all along. You're too loyal to be unfaithful to anyone, especially Di. And I hate myself for misunderstanding you like that. And wasting 3 months of your life. And ruining your idea of marriage which I know you consider so sacred. And I want to make it upto you! The only thing I have today is you. My wife. And I don't want to take that for granted. I love you so much. Please forgive me.' But he couldn't say that. She would hate him. She would leave him. Forever. And he won't be able to handle that.
'I'm sorry, Khushi. I can't. I just can't. It's not that easy.' And with that, he stormed out of the room leaving so many questions unanswered.
Khushi sat on the bed and buried her face in her hands. She wanted ArnavJi to open up to her so she could tell him her side of the story. She had enough of these plans. She was going to speak to him. And if he didn't believe her then she didn't know what to do. But she hoped with all her heart that he would believe her.
Arnav slept in the guest room that night. He wished with all his heart that this dark patch of his life would soon surpass. And that the sun will rise, bringing with it hope. And Khushi.
**
I'm going to update Chapter 10 really soon! How's it going though?
The story is going to get happier soon, I promise :)
Remember
There is a CALM after the storm
Xxx
