Arshi FF: Melting Point (Part 32 pg 110)

Khushi shifted her gaze from the stars above to the flower pots around. She remembered the time of Anjali's third anniversary party when Arnav had inquired about the reason for her return from Lucknow. That was the first time he implied that she was a gold digger and would do anything for money. It was also the first time she noticed something in his eyes other than hatred. Was it anger? Frustration? Did she see a glimpse of a broken dream that was yet to come? Or was it something else? She told him that if she had a choice she would never come to his house. Little did she know what the future held for her. Khushi sighed and looked around the pool again. This is where it all started. The insults, the pain, the heart beats ... Khushi closed her eyes and remembered the day before Diwali when she got herself entangled with fiery lights. She reminisced how gently Arnav took those lights off her, yet pulled her into an emotional predicament. Fleeting memories of their closeness on diwali night, their confrontation on Payal and Akash's wedding ceremony, their countless encounters before and after marriage rushed through her mind when she suddenly opened her eyes. This is the very place where her dreams were shattered five months ago...

Five months earlier

Khushi was waiting for Arnav to return home with jitters in her stomach. Things had been going unusually well since their return from the Gupta house. Khushi still continued her shenanigans to irk Arnav. Arnav, on the other hand, had not only refrained from any spiteful discourse, but also toned down his ill-natured demeanor towards Khushi quite a bit. At times Khushi got a little apprehensive, but would brush it off the next minute as she was enjoying Arnav's new Avatar. She started planning her next antic and remembered how she put the 'tika' on Arnav's forehead with hers the other day, and how Arnav called her name in that choked voice. Her heart started beating fast at the thought of him. Khushi quickly got a hold of herself and resumed her plan of annoying him. She decided once Arnav returns from work, she will intentionally bump into him, and when he would start his trademark 'what the...' she will simply stop him by putting her finger on his lips. She immediately blushed realizing how most of her recent antics involved touching him one way or the other. The next minute she started imagining how her fingers will feel against his lips ... Stop! Khushi gave herself a mental kick.

Khushi was so engulfed in her own little world that she almost jumped when there was a knock on the door. Since when did the mighty Emperor need permission to enter his own room, thought Khushi smiling to herself and proceeded to the door, only to find out that the person standing in front of her with a cunning smile was none other than Shyam.

"What do you want, jeeja ji?" Khushi didn't even try to hide the annoyance in her voice.

Shyam: I'm guessing you're not happy to see me Khushi ji

Khushi: Your assumption is right

She was going to close the door on him when he pleaded with his most endearing voice, "Khushi ji please! I know I have not been the ideal person, but I really need to tell you something. It is very important"

Khushi: I really don't want to hear anything from you

Shyam: I know, it will take only two minutes

Khushi thought the best way to get rid of him was to listen to whatever he had to say

Khushi: Talk as quickly as possible and get out of my sight, and don't come near my room again

Shyam: Your room huh? Last I heard you were forced into this, and you will be happy to know your play marriage is soon coming to an end.

Khushi was shocked. Was he talking about the six month contract? How did Shyam know about it? Also, the way things were progressing between her and Arnav for the last few days, she almost forgot about that contract, and wasn't even keeping track of the days anymore. However, Shyam's comment jolted her back to the reality of her marriage.

Shyam: I know how hard it is for a girl like you to go through this...

Khushi: Is this what you wanted to tell me? For your information, I already know this

Shyam: Of course you do. What you don't know is why he forced you to marry him

Khushi: And you do?

Shyam: Yes Khushi ji. He married you because he thought you were having an illicit relationship with me. He thought you were a home wrecker. He married you because he hated you

The fact that their marriage started off with intense hatred from Arnav's side wasn't news to Khushi. Moreover, she had already sensed that the reason may be somewhat related to Shyam. However, she was still taken aback at what Shyam had just said

Khushi: If you're done talking you may leave

Shyam: One more thing, your divorce papers are in your cupboard inside the safe. Here is the key. Arnav had already signed it with today's date. Don't ask me how I got the keys; I was always keeping an eye on both of you for your sake. Have a good night Khushi ji.

With that, off he went leaving a shocked and devastated Khushi behind.

Hey guys/gals! I'm fairly new to this forum, and this is my first post. Your comments are much appreciated. Thanks a bunch :-)

Part 2 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884

Part 3 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=2

Part 4 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=4

Part 5 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=6

Part 6 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=8

Part 7 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=11

Part 8 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=13

Part 9 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=16

Part 10 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=19

Part 11 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=22

Part 12 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=24

Part 13 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=28

Part 14 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=32

Part 15 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=36

Part 16 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=40

Part 17 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=45

Part 18 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=49

Part 19 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=52

Part 20 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=56

Part 21 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=59

Part 22 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=66

Part 23 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=70

Part 24 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=76

Part 25 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=80

Part 26 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=84

Part 27 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=88

Part 28 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=91

Part 29 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=96

Part 30 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=100

Part 31 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=105

Part 32 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=110

sounds good..add me in plz

hope u plan to continue? very interesting start, but i love happy endings. 😊😊😊😊😊

Part 2

Khushi slowly sat down on the recliner after Shyam left. She looked at the key and deliberated for a moment. She couldn't believe Shyam and didn't want to go near the safe, but curiosity got the better of her and she finally opened it almost knowing Shyam was wrong. What she saw instead reinforced Shyam's statement, and her nightmare. There it was, the infamous piece of paper that demonstrated in formal terms the termination of their marriage, there is the lawyer's name, and there ... Khushi's eyes started to moisten when she saw Arnav's signature at the end. How could he? Is this why he had been so gracious around her lately, because he was going to get rid of her soon? Khushi tried to console herself thinking this is what she wanted as well. Wasn't the whole point behind annoying the living daylights out of him was to have a way out of the RM Mansion before the 6 month period? Why does it hurt so bad to see those papers then?

Khushi sat back on the recliner and thought about what Shyam had said earlier. If his statement about the reason behind their forced marriage was true, she can straighten things out. However, since Arnav had already signed the divorce papers, after one month into their marriage, it only means that the truth doesn't really matter to him and he was going to abandon her anyhow. Khushi started contemplating about all her encounters with Arnav. Every time she thought she understood him, he proved her wrong. Was this man simply beyond her comprehension? Khushi was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the wind chime when Arnav entered the room.

Arnav: What the ...what are you doing in the dark? I thought you are afraid of darkness.

He could not help being a little sarcastic.

She was absorbed in her own murkiness to notice the apparent dusk. She jumped off the recliner the moment Arnav turned the lights on, and went to the pool side. Arnav followed, slightly irritated.

Arnav: How many times do I have to tell you not to walk away when I'm talking?

Khushi: *mute*

Arnav: Khushi, can you hear me?

Khushi: *mute*

Arnav was going to yell at her again when he noticed Khushi was staring at the stars facing away from him. Something in the manner she was standing told Arnav that she was not her usual self today. Arnav felt a pang of guilt. He was the reason for her melancholy. Off late, he got quite used to her antics, and started to actually look forward to it. He can't see her upset. He slowly walked towards her and put a hand on her shoulder,

"Khushi' what's the matter?" he asked softly.

Khushi stood still without replying. Since her conversation with Shyam, Khushi had been gathering strength to confront Arnav today. She was not going to make it easy for him. But why did he have to touch her? Why did he call her name in that voice? Khushi was melting inside without being consciously aware of it. Arnav turned her around and was surprised to see tears in her eyes.

"What happened? Did someone say something to you?", Arnav was worried.

Khushi looked at him. This man had turned her world upside down. He had forced her into a marriage that came with an expiration date, mistrusted her, accused her of wrongdoing, and insulted her countless times. Now he was asking her if everything was ok. Is he faking his concern? He must be. What else could explain that decisive signature? Yet she couldn't despise him.

"Why do you hate me so much?" said Khushi in a voice that almost sounded like a plea.

Khushi's sadness rubbed on to him. He stood there for a few seconds without knowing what to say. No matter what he said, there was nothing in the world this girl can do and have him hate her. Would she ever understand me? thought Arnav

"I don't hate you Khushi", he managed to say at last, gulping down his pain.

He continued to hold his gaze towards her, trying to tell her with his eyes how much he cared for her and what she meant to him. He wasn't sure how efficacious he was at conveying his feelings but he couldn't stand there any longer, afraid he may give too much of himself away. Arnav abruptly removed his hand from her shoulder, turned around and walked away.

Part 3 http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2962884&TPN=2

Poor Khushi

Poor Khushi... Shyam needs a kick on his butt for this..

lovin it!! PM when u update please! 😊

Hey its awesome:-)
Do continue and pm me pls:-)

lovely update hope they open up their feelings in the next part ..