IPKKND FF: WICM - Link for new thread Page149 - Page 20

Chapter 5: Destruction

With shaky fingers Khushi wiped off the blood on her lips. Hiding her tears she looked up at the two women who were accusing of her of being an 'easy' woman because she fled into her so called husbands arms. It seemed to her that Payal misunderstood the state she saw her in and informed her amma and bua-ji. She shut her eyes again, looking back at the good memories, when she had her real parents. Only one distinct memory she held so close to her heart about her mother.

Her mother was lying on the picnic blanket, taking in the warm sun and she was colouring in the teddy bear in her colouring book, her crayons going over the thick black lines. 'A beautiful mess' her mother had concluded. That was the last time she saw her, after that her alleged cousins family took her in, and her life became that very same 'beautiful mess' her mother spoke about.

'Why' was the only question she would constantly ask herself, 'why me?' There was a time when she used to fight back but then they got harder, the abuse became worse. She was constantly told that she was 'jealous' of Payal, and how it was her fault that they were going through this crisis. She was told she was the criminal but really she was the victim.

_ _

At the other end, Arnav wasn't feeling too great. He went through a number of files before he gave up and undone his tie, feeling suffocated with his thoughts. Eventually all the questions that came to him lead him to nowhere, feeling frustrated he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and went to the studio side of his office, feeling the need to vent out his frustration.

He set up his sketchpad on the easel, and pulling up the stool he began sketching aggressively, rapidly. After that he turned the page and begun painting, choosing a range of browns and greens. He was so engrossed in his frustration he didn't notice the knock on his door. The cough alerted him he was not alone. He turned in a motion and saw his secretary Lavanya.

"What is it Lavanya?" He barked.

Lavanya was so used to his angry moods she did not jump in fright instead she told him with a calm face that the detective he hired was here with the information he required.

Cooling himself he told her to send him to the conference room.

Once she left he took a breath of relief, rubbing his eyes and face he felt happy, hoping that at least someone would give an answer to his questions. Doing his tie again and putting his blazer again he strode towards the conference room.

Taking his place at the head of the table he barked out 'Begin' to the detective, and he began.

The detective narrated that the parents Khushi was living with were not her actual parent, her stepmother was actually her aunt, and her bua was her stepfathers' sister and Payal was the cousin. He was also told that she was very accident prone as the doctors had concluded. Khushi had very frequently visited the hospital, sometimes with a broken leg other times with a burn. Her new parents seemed to be showing too much concern for her, constantly telling them she would fall or burn herself on the iron.

The detective coughed trying to gain Arnav's spiralled attention. Rising Arnav paced to and fro, undoing the buttons of his blazer, breathing in heavily.

"So what you are saying is she was abused?"

"We are not certain sir, like I mentioned her family did seem concerned, they bought her to the hospital and took care of her. An inspector did go to the house when her burns and cuts seemed to be getting worse but everything seemed normal."

The Detective could see mess from afar and this was a pretty big pile of it.

"Also sir, she ran away from home once, there was a search notice given to the police, a psychologist spoke to her in regards to her running from home, and said I quote 'She is still upset about her real parents, and wants to go find them' I believe she was never told about the tragedy that occurred, to save her from mental trauma.

"Are you aware that your wife studied in the 'Imperial College' for science?" Receiving a negative shake of the head the detective continued

"Well she did and she seems quite studious and intelligent, she had to take a UK-kat test and passed with the highest number that year had seen. Needless to say that her degree was also of the highest standard, she aced everything, her 12^th standard exams, all of them, even at the age of 11 she appeared to be very intelligent, her teachers seemed very pleased with her achievements, if only her attendance -"

Picking up of what the detective was saying he interrupted him when he said 'attendance' raising his eyebrow in a quizzical manner he asked "What about her attendance?"

"Well she was in school most of the time, but she would be sent home for the scars we earlier spoke about, she would miss a few days in the week, not a normal attendance at all, which made it hard for her to be accepted into the university but her test proved that she was able and capable"

Nodding to the detective he thanked him for his services and told him he would be in touch. Striding back to his own office he sat back on the stool furrow browed. He couldn't work with this state of mind.

Looking through his sketchbook he saw the painting he had done, it was off Khushi's eyes, those beautiful eyes, a torrid emotion clouding them, a shade of hazel with shards of green breaking through. The way the sun breaks through the heavy clouds. He recognised it to be the emotion he saw on her face when her wrists were in his hands. He flicked through the pages and saw his second sketch of her drying her hair and looking in the mirror.

Touching the scar he had sketched out, Arnav was no psychologist but he summarised the information the detective had given him.

She was hurt, hurt beyond repair, so she threw herself into her studies finding it a distraction to what was happening at home; her running away was a way to find sanctuary somewhere else. And then leaving for London for four years was another form of running away.

She was hurt. Whether it was beyond repair is what he would find out, and then he realised the stupid mistake he made in their bedroom this morning, he was no different from her 'so-called' parents. He had hurt her. Guilt assailed him and he didn't like it.

Rising rather abruptly he realised that's why she didn't want to go, smacking himself on the forehead he raced to his desk with his sketchbook. 'It was time for Khushi to come home' Collecting his keys and blazer he stormed out of the office with his sketchbook in hand, he wanted to show her. Make her feel better.

_ _

Garima rushed to answer the persistent bell ringing, shocked to see Arnav come home to collect Khushi so early, it was only lunch.

"Do come in beta" She told him.

Striding in he went and sat on the red sofa, glancing around hoping to catch site of his wife.

"Who are you looking for beta?"

"Wo Aunty Khushi kaha- His sentence remained unfinished as his wife strolled in, looking as radiant as she done in the morning. But his gaze did not miss the way she dragged her pallu down, hiding the yellowing bruises there, not to mention her lip was cut. 'B***' was the only word he could use for her alleged parents.

"Ready to go?" He asked, standing.

He didn't wait for an answer; he went and took her hand, completely ignoring Garima's protest for food or tea. He couldn't sit in that house any longer.

Steering her towards his car he put her in the passenger's seat with extra care, doing the seatbelt making sure she was comfortable, before getting into the drive side himself.

Getting in he glanced at her face and once doing the seat belt he took her chin in his hands and silently gazed at her lips, a scab forming already. He ran his thumb across it, trying to feel her pain.

He wasn't a man of many words but when he cared for someone he put them first, he controlled his temper and began to get possessive. But the real question is would he inform anyone about this sudden surge of care?

No. He would not; they would just have to suss it out themselves.

With these thoughts he looked up into her eyes, suppressing the gasp that had arisen. They looked just like his painting; there was angst and the air felt stifled. Releasing her from his hold he rolled down the window and pulled out of the narrow passageway.

There were no words exchanged, both found it harmony in not talking at all. Letting their gestures do it for them.

"What is bothering you?" she said out of the blue

Shocked Arnav turned to her when the lights went red "How do you know?"

"You are fidgeting," She told him, looking at his baffled expression she elaborated on her statement

"Humans tend to fidget when they feel the need to express their feelings but are unsure how to say what they want, you for instance want to constantly check your watch even though only a second has gone past. You keep tapping your feet and tap your fingers." She said in one breath.

The girl never failed to shock him, but lucky for him he did not need to respond the lights turned green. He could tell she was staring at him, her eyes seemed to bore holes into his jaw, making him feel goose bumps. 'What is happening to me?' He asked himself.

"Are you going to tell me?" She asked him.

He did not say anything, he couldn't. Not know, not when he felt so unsure of himself. There was so much conflict within him, he swiftly glanced to his right and saw her gazing out the window with blank eyes, seeing but not perceiving.

_ _

Arriving at the Raizada Mansion he helped her out, taking care to tuck her into himself with his hand at her waist. Opening the door he led her in, finding the front-room empty he felt happy, it would make it easier to shuffle her into his room without the unnecessary explanations.

Opening the door of their bedroom he settled her down onto the bed with a 'stay put' to ensure she stays there.

Rushing into the bathroom he rubbed his hand across his mouth, sighing even deeper. Now he had proof that they were hurting her. Taking in a deep breath he opened the door to see the cutest site before him.

She was biting her lower lip, eyes wide, brow furrowed with her legs tucked underneath the other. Walking towards her he sat down next to her, the bed dipping with his weight.

"Look at me" He told her, and she obeyed.

"I have something for you"

Her eyes were expectant now, she didn't know how to feel, he had something for her? This was new; she was not custom to receiving gifts.

He brushed his arm past torso to reach the sketchbook beside her, placing it in her lap he told her to open it, and she obeyed.

Opening the book what Khushi saw made her eyes water, the picture was a painting of her face, her eyes soft and mouth wobbled. He painted her beautifully. Her hands touched her face, skimmed her nose. Not knowing what to say she done the only thing she could, reached up and hugged him.

_ _

Arnav was completely unaware of her reaction, her eyes the feature he loved to watch were hooded, he saw her hand reach out cautious to touch it, and then she looked up, her eyes watered but she was smiling and then he felt her full weight as she threw herself at him.

Not knowing what to do he hugged her back, listening to her muffled thank you's.

_ _

Note: I will not be updating soon, probably on Friday now. I apologize but I am now neglecting my revision, its not your lots fault its my own. So for a week no I-F

Sorry :(

ANDD Arnav got hints huh? just remember this is not a complete un-cover of the truth! 😆 😉