Part 5
"Khushiji.. it seems you are suddenly very happy with your husband and married life.. but, did you care to find out why he married you in the first place? I think you must do that before you start making castles in air." Shyam thundered and Khushi was almost rooted to the ground'She was standing there even after he left.. "Why did he marry me.. what was Shyam hinting at?? I need to find out.."
She felt restless.. She wanted to ask Arnav.. but suddenly she remembered Arnav asking her to forget the past and begin a new chapter in her life. After lot of deliberation, she decided not to push Arnav for answers and allow him to take his time to clear her doubts. She decided to follow her heart which always beats for Arnav and not her oversized brain. It was around lunch time that Khushi got ready with Arnav's lunch and started for office. Just as she was about to enter the gates of AR, she heard someone call her.. "Khushiji". She turned to find Shyam there smiling sarcastically at her. She ignored and kept walking when he again asked, "Apne Pati Parmeshwar ki liye khana layi ho aap. Par kya aap jaanti ho ki woh aapse sirf nafrat karta hai. Isliye kyonki humne usse bataya ki aap sirf humse pyaar karti ho' Aur usne turant yakeen bhi kar liya.. He married you cause I told him that I love you and you also love me a lot and the only hurdle is Rani Sahiba'He married you to protect his sister and I am sure he will kick you out soon.." He felt pleased seeing her changing facial expressions. But, in a second, she was back to normal and started walking past him ignoring him. Now this was the limit. He held her hand and pulled her back. She fling his hand away and said sternly, "Shyamji, I am quiet only because of Di and Arnavji. But don't mistake my silence to be my weakness.. If you try to touch me again, believe me - I WILL KILL YOU and I don't care what happens to me after that. As far as my marriage is concerned, the reason for that is something that is between me and Arnavji and I do not want any outsider to comment on that. Secondly, I don't care what you told Arnavji and what he believed, I only know one thing- Arnavji is my husband and I love him a lot. I have never loved you ever and even you know this. If, like you said, he has married me to protect his Di, then, I am proud of him, since, knowingly or unknowingly, doing this, he has protected me too from your evil ways. Now, if you don't wish to be humiliated publicly that too in front of AR, please GET LOST."
She said that and barged into the office heading straight to Arnav's office with the lunch. She entered into the empty cabin, when Aman followed her and informed that Arnav just left for home for lunch. She looked puzzled and thanking Aman, she sat down on the sofa in the cabin. She needed some time alone to go through all the rubbish Shyam had feeded her and to digest it. Tears started gathering in her eyes when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She jerked to look up and saw Arnav looking at her with love and concern. "Khushi, are you all right?" he asked. She nodded and stood up. He picked up the lunch box and holding Khushi by her wrist, he went to the conference room.
"Did you have lunch?" He asked looking at her and she just stared at him questioningly. He went close to her and holding her by both her shoulders, he asked again, "Khushi, do you want to ask something or say something to me?" this time very gently. His soft tone broke the barriers that Khushi had created to stop her emotions and she hugged him tight and started sobbing uncontrollably. He remembered the hospital scene but, this time, he hugged her back and let her cry. Once the outburst subsided a bit, he stroked her back and still hugging her back, he said softly, "Khushi, I love you, I love you a lot and I cannot live without you, but now, I think, I may die of hunger." She looked up and smiled. He was impossible, she thought and just as she was moving away from him, his grip tightened around her waist and he kissed her gently on her lips and then freed her.
Khushi was seeing a new side of this Laad governor and did not want to spoil the new found happiness ' and that too for the creepy shyam. She had lunch with him quietly and then as Arnav went out to wash his hands, she gathered the boxes. She was ready to leave now but looked hesitant. "Khushi, what is it that you want to say and you are not saying it?" Arnav knew something was up. "Woh .. woh.. Can you come a bit early Arnavji?" she asked in suddenly and Arnav looked at her surprised. "All at home are going to Mrs. Mehta's anniversary party in the evening and I am a bit scared to stay alone' or else, if you are busy, can I come here and wait for you?" she said all in one go and paused for breath. He perfectly understood her discomfort. "What time are they going?" he enquired "Six Thirty" she said. "Ok..call me when you feel that they are about to move." He said as a matter of fact that made her wonder if she was expecting too much.
It was evening and Khushi started becoming impatient. All were getting ready for the party and it was almost 6:30 and they bid goodbye to Khushi and started'Just as they were leaving, Shyam got a call on his mobile. Khushi looked at him suspiciously and then felt scared as he said, "Ranisahiba, mere ek client ka phone tha. Ek urgent case aa gaya hai. Woh yehi aa rahe hai.. Bas mein wo nipatke aapke piche piche aa jaata hun. Aap aage badhiye." Anjali reluctantly agreed and now Khushi was scared to death. Khushi stood at the gate and stared at Shyam as he crossed her and went inside the house not before giving dirty looks to Khushi whispering, "kitni der bahar khadi rahogi Khushiji, andar to aana hi padega. Sirf aap aur mein." Khushi was stunned still standing at the gate about to burst into tears when she felt a hand on her shoulder and a voice behind it, "Khushi!". She jumped in shock and turned to find Arnav right beside her "Arnavji!!" she hugged him tight, tears flowing. Arnav was surprised to see her like that and hugged her back. She felt so so protected.. Arnav was curious to know the reason of her fear and he did not know he would get the answer so quick.
He looked at her and said, "andar chale?" Khushi smiled and went in Arnav following her to see Shyam standing with opened arms.. Khushiji.. ab bachke kaha jaogi aap.. Aaj to aapke Arnavji bhi.. and his words froze in his mouth when he saw Arnav standing staring at him. Khushi had stood still in shock not knowing how to react. Arnav coldly walked to her, held her waist and said, "Arnavji bhi kya jeejaji? Did you just want to say that even I have come back?" he smirked seeing the colour fade off from Shyam's face. He moved, khushi in tow to his bedroom..
Kumkum Bhagya
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