Chapter Six Updated P.30My Affair with Mrs. SMJ - Page 5

Chapter Two- Hume Tumse Pyaar Kitna...Yeh Hum Nahi Janate

"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment."
Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

Arnav rang the doorbell of Shantivan. His servant, Hari Prakash opened the door.

"Hello, bhaiya. How did your day go?" asked Hari Prakash, as he took Arnav's bag. Arnav nodded and walked away, leaving a shocked Hari Prakash behind him. 'What has happened to bhaiya today? Normally he starts to scream at me as soon as he comes home!, thought Hari Prakash as he went to put Arnav's bag in his room.

Arnav headed towards the sitting area and collapsed in a couch and closed his eyes. His eyes flew open when someone put their hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw his Grandmother, the only person who lived with him. Arnav began to stand up, buy Nani stopped him. She handed him a glass of water that he drank in one go. He set the glass back down on the tray she was holding and began to rub his forehead. Nani put the tray on the table in front them and sat down on the couch next to Arnav.

"Chotte? Did you have a tiring day?" asked Nani. Arnav sighed.

"Sort of, Nani. I had to interview more than 120 candidates today for the position of my personal secretary," responded Arnav.

"And?"

"I found someone," said Arnav. Nani raised an eyebrow.

"Who is this someone?" she asked. Arnav knew why she was asking. The personal secretaries of Arnav usually ended up flirting with him nonstop and coming to Shantivan with some stupid excuse. Nani hated all of that. Lavanya had also tried, but Arnav had clearly told her he wasn't interested and she had moved on and married some guy named NK.

"Don't worry, Nani. Khushi is married," responded Arnav, a hint of annoyance about that fact in his voice. Nani smiled.

"Good. Oh, and Anjali bitiya had called," said Nani as she picked up her needlework. Arnav looked at her in shock.

"Di called? What happened? Is everything good?" asked Arnav, worry in his voice.

"Nothing to worry about. She said that Karan bitwa and she are coming over for dinner. She wants to talk to you about something. And Akash bitwa and Payal bitiya are also coming over" responded Nani as she stitched.

"Talk to me? About what?" questioned Arnav. Whenever Di wanted to talk to him about something, it meant that something big was brewing in her mind. And the whole fact that Payal was also coming over made Arnav nervous. Both those ladies could make Arnav do anything by using their emotional blackmailing skills.

"About your marriage, chotte!" came a voice from behind Arnav. Arnav his head and saw Di, Karan Jija-ji, Akash, and Payal behind him. Arnav and Nani got up. Anjali began to limp towards him, Karan Jija-ji holding her arm protectively.

"My WHAT?" screamed Arnav. Payal walked up to him.

"Your Di is saying the right thing, Arnav. You should get married soon! Look at your friend, Akash! He is younger than you and he is married to me happily!" said Payal. Akash grinned at Arnav.

"I don't know about the whole "happily married" part, but yes, I am married," said Akash. Payal slapped his arm while Arnav smirked. Di rolled her eyes at both of them.

"Look, chotte. I am getting old now! I want to see your marriage! You are almost what, 29? You have to get married this year. No choice," said Di, her voice serious. Arnav looked at his Jija-ji.

"Come on, Jija-ji. You only explain to Di that I don't want to get married right now!" he begged. Karan shook his head.

"Sorry, Arnav. I agree with your Di for once. She is right. You should get married," he said, giving an apologetic look to Arnav.

"Thanks, guys," muttered Arnav, feeling utterly disgusted about how his Jija-ji and his best friend had been blackmailed by their wives. Nani put a hand on his shoulder.

"Chotte, agree to what your sister is saying. Get married!" asked Nani. Arnav was about to retort, but Anjali cut him off.

"Don't bother, Nani. Chotte doesn't care about anyone! Not even his Di!" she turned around in mock anger. Arnav looked at Karan but he shook his head. Arnav sighed put a hand on his sisters shoulder.

"Fine, I'll get married. But only if I can pick my wife," Arnav said finally. Di turned around and put a hand to her mouth.

"Really, chotte?" Arnav nodded and she threw her arms around his neck, only to let go of him immediately. Payal came up to her, excitement on her face.

"Then it's settled, Anjali-ji! We should start planning!" she said, enthusiasm in her voice. They both were about to start talking until Arnav held up a hand.

"Wait! I said that I would get married ONLY if I can pick my wife! How can you guys preparing already?" he asked. Anjali and Payal looked at each other glumly.

"Fine, chotte. But we can give you choices, right?" asked Anjali. Arnav rolled his eyes.

"Whatever makes you happy, Di. Now you all discuss. I'm going upstairs to change." He quickly began to head towards the stairs before anyone could say anything. Anjali, Payal and Nani high-fived each other while Karan and Akash rolled their eyes at each other and followed Arnav upstairs, to give him some manly advice about marriage.

Jha Mansion

Khushi opened her purse and took out her keys. She mechanically opened the door to her home and stepped inside. Everything was dark as usual. She turned on the lights and placed her bag on a table, before sitting down in a chair. She looked around her home. It was magnificent as usual, but had no happiness in it. Shyam had made it a rule that there would be no servants in the home and since his parents were dead, no one lived with them. Khushi headed up the large staircase towards her bedroom and quickly changed into a light blue sari. She tied her hair up and was putting on her sindoor when she heard the doorbell ring. She looked at the clock in surprise. Had he come home early to check if she was at home? She heard the doorbell again and ran downstairs and opened the door, breathless.

Mr. Patel, the jewelry store owner stood there. Khushi let out a sigh and put her hands together.

"Namaste, Patel-ji. What brings you here?" she asked. The old man gave her a big smile and took out a small velvet bag from his pocket. Khushi took the bag, a puzzled look on her face.

"Your mangalsutra, Khushi-ji. I repaired it," he responded. Khushi opened the bag and took out the necklace. The diamonds sparkled in the sunlight coming from the door. She looked up at Mr. Patel.

"Shukriya, Patel-ji. I really appreciate it. Namaste," she said. The old man said his good-bye and left. Khushi closed the doors and put the necklace on it. She touched the beads and closed her eyes, remembering her marriage when Shyam had put this around her neck. At that time, it had made her feel complete. As if she was meant to wear it. But now, it felt like it was choking her. She swallowed and headed towards the kitchen to cook dinner. Shyam hated it when dinner was late.

At exactly 9PM, Shyam stormed through the doors of the home and threw his bag on the floor. "Khushi! Get me some water!" he screamed, as he collapsed in a couch. Stupid Agarwal and Sons. It had taken him hours to get that deal away from their hands. He mentally cursed them more until her heard the faint sound of Khushi's payals. He opened his eyes and saw his wife holding a tray with a glass of water on it. He took the cup, drank it, and then threw it on the floor. He stood up and grabbed Khushi by the arms. She dropped the tray in shock. Shyam looked her straight in the eyes.

"How many times have I told you that I don't drink water that doesn't have ice in it? HOW MANY TIMES, GOD DAMMIT?" he screamed. Khushi looked at him, terror in her eyes. Shyam let go of her, and Khushi screamed as she fell on the broken glass. Shyam looked at her and kneeled on the ground and grabbed her hair. Khushi cried out in pain as Shyam turned her head to face him.

"Who came to the home today?" he asked, his tone deadly. Khushi looked at him with astonishment. He tightened his hold on her hair.

"I said WHO CAME!" he yelled. Khushi began to cry.

"M-m-mr. Patel. He came with my mangalsutra. Remember it broke last nig-g-ht when yo-u h-itt me?" she stammered, her voice breaking with every sob. Shyam let go of her hair and Khushi let out a gasp. She pressed a hand to her head and began to cry, as Shyam sat down on the floor. He reached up and took Khushi's face in his hands and looked at her.

"You know that I love you, right Khushi?" asked Shyam. Khushi nodded furiously. Shyam smiled. "And I know that you love me, right Khushi. You love me right?" he asked. Khushi nodded again, tears streaming down her face. Shyam wiped away her tears.

"I just don't want to lose you, Khushi. Understand? I will never lose you," he whispered. Khushi simply looked at him. Shyam nodded and hugged her. Khushi leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, trying to ignore the pain.

Shantivan

"KHUSHI!" screamed Arnav as he sat up straight in bed. He looked around frantically and glanced at the clock. Two in the morning. He swore and ran a hand through his hair and lay back down in bed, trying to make sense of his nightmare. Khushi was in it. She was trying to tell him something. What was it? And why the hell was she in his dreams? He had only met her today! He closed his eyes tightly and reminded himself the fact that he had to stop thinking of her. She was married for gods sake! Arnav turned over and tried to fall back asleep.

Authors Note:

Thank you so much for all those like and comments! I love reading them! Keep them coming! And sorry for that whole Shyam-Khushi scene...but I had to include it ( I was gagging while writing it!) But don't worry...many ArShi scenes are coming up...Enjoy, Like, and Comment please! Love you all!

Awesome...so khushi is a victim of domestic violence...I liked the way the story is unfolding