ARSHI SS:An end and a begnning (Part 4 on pg 12) - Page 2

Kushi woke up and saw her Arnavji holding her hands in sleep which he claimed to have become a habit. She smiled thinking of her husband who looked like an innocent child in sleep. Things would become better. She felt it. After pouring her heart to her husband she felt light. She knew he has understood her pain now. She was happy that she had opened up to him yesterday. Sighing contentedly she slowly removed her hands from her husband's hand kissed his forehead gently. Happily humming she went to take bath and go for morning puja.

Arnav woke up as the light seeped through the room. He turned around and saw that his wife was missing and felt a little upset.

As if on cue Kushi entered the room with his black coffee.

K: good morning Arnavji. Here's your black coffee and news paper she handed him both.

Arnav noticed that she was back to her chirpy self and the doe shaped eyes had the same twinkle as before. He smiled thinking it was a good morning indeed.

A: good morning Kushi. How can it not be a good morning when I get to see my angel's face first thing in the morning he said smiling cheekily.

Kushi blushed at the comment and slightly hit his shoulder playfully and said

K: ok' ok enough of this get ready and come for breakfast everyone is waiting for you.

She proceeded to get his things ready and went out of the room.

He stared at her retreating back and smiled thinking how lucky he was to get Kushi in his life.

He got up and proceeded to get ready.

When he was climbing down the stairs he saw all his family members and Sheetal and Aarav were sitting in the dining table. Unknowingly his eyes searched for Kushi who was nowhere to be seen.

A: Di where is Kushi he asked his eyes continuously searching for her.

Before Anjali could answer Mami piped in

M: hello hi bye bye looks like the love birds can't stay away even for a minute and started laughing.

Arnav cut her off saying,

A: yes mami you're right I can't stay away from my wife even for a minute cos I love her.

Mami thought it's better to keep quiet and shut up immediately. To ease the tension Anjali answered his question

An: Kushi is in t kitchen chotte she'll be here now you sit down and smiled at him softly.

When he was looking for a place to sit Sheetal pointed out the chair near her asking him to sit.

He politely declined her saying

A: no thanks Sheetal I would like to sit with my wife.

Saying so he took the chair next to nani leaving an empty chair for his wife.

Sheetal felt slightly uncomfortable at the mention of wife but quietly nodded. She tried making conversations with him.

S: yesterday was fun right?

A: ya it was better than college days because it was fun playing with my family and smiled at her.

At the mention of this all the Raizada members smiled thinking how much Arnav has changed from being serious to fun loving guy.

Sheetal just smiled awkwardly as she felt he was being dismissive.

After some time Kushi came from kitchen getting the food and started serving everyone.

K: Aarav do you need anything.

Aa: no need I just told you to stay away from me and you pls do that.

At this comment Arnav got pissed off and shouted at Aarav saying

A; you have no right to talk to her like that. Don't forget its in her place you're staying. Apologize to her right now.

Everyone was shocked at his sudden outburst as he used to be friendly with Aarav. But they know it's better to stay quiet than questioning him and also knew how much Kushi meant to him.

Aarav mumbled a quick apology and resumed eating.

Kushi was shocked at his sudden outburst

K: its ok Arnavji leave it.

A: no it's not ok you are my wife and not a servant and I won't tolerate anyone behaving in that way with you.

Kushi just nodded and took a seat next to him and started eating.

Sheetal was shocked to see Arnav suddenly behaving like this and wondered what has happened to him.

S: ammm Arnav I want to talk to you regarding working in your office

A: what's there to talk you said you don't want it cos you're uncomfortable right?

S: ya but I thought about it and err I decided to join

A: no you are right it will be uncomfortable for both of us. It's better if you join somewhere else. Anyways you're designs are good and I'm sure you will be able to get a job anywhere. But if needed, I'll give you recommendation.

S: hmm no thanks I'll manage she aid awkwardly.

Sheetal was confused as to why Arnav was behaving this way.

A; btw Sheetal what happened to your house? When is it getting ready?

S: surprised by the sudden question said in a few days

A: give me their number I'll talk to them

S: stammered saying no.n.ooo I'll manage you don't worry

A: no it's ok give me the number

Sheetal started panicking.

S: no it's ok Arnav no need for that he said it'll be ready soon.

A: shouted saying give me the number dammit.

Sheetal shaking gives him the number

All the family members watch each other's face clueless as to what is happening.

Arnav started talking to the landlord. Once he finished he looks at Sheetal accusingly.

S: Arnav'

A: the landlord said the house has been ready already and you only said that you don't need it

S: no he's lying

A: why would he lie?

S: I don't know Arnav how pathetic that landlord is has been lying to me

A: you seriously think like a fool I'll believe whatever you say?

S: no Arnav

Arnav cut her off saying

A: it's ASR for you, I'm Arnav only for my wife not anyone else. Tell me now how long did you take to train Aarav like me? And is his name really Aarav or something else? Are you even his real mother or you got this child to play these cheap tricks?

S: Arnav'I mean ASR he's your son.

A: oh really? I haven't even kissed you and how can this child me mine?

S: no one day at the party we both where drunk and we ended up doing it

A: let out a sarcastic laugh. I don't drink Sheetal and everyone knows that now tell me the truth.

S: no I mean that day in party I mean you'.Sheetal fumbles not knowing what to say.

A: ok then let's call the doctor and check whether Aarav really has diabetics and we can also do a DNA test and clear everything'

S: no need of that what I'm saying is true

A: I think you're from a respectable family Ms. Sheetal Kapoor. Don't make me take drastic measures like involving police

At the mention of police Sheetal gets scared and blurts out the truth.

S: I was in a live in relationship with a guy called Rohan after college. I gave birth to Aarav. I thought he loved me but apparently he dint. He left me few months back for another girl. Tats when I saw you're photo in news paper and decided to marry you convincing Aarav is your son. But after coming here I saw you were married. I was initially shocked but then Kushi dint seem to match your status so I thought you were pressurized to marry her. Moreover I never saw you giving her importance so I thought you were being with her just for the sake of it and she dint deserve you. I thought it would be easy for me to fool her into believing Aarav was your son and to some extent I knew I was successful too. You're family members also kept on passing comments as to how Aarav is like your son, how he's an exact copy of you etc which made my job easier. Even during the match and after that yesterday you dint seem to care much about your wife which only made me think you don't like her much. I even heard you both talking about the DNA. I was scared that my plan would fail but she tore the report saying she trusts you. But then again I made her doubt by keeping my diary open and also seeing our pics taken during the uni basketball match.

As Sheetal spoke Arnav remembered the words Kushi told him yesterday.

"These days you seem to be showing your love only behind the closed doors Arnavji. Once we get out of the room you behave as if we're strangers. If Sheetalji tries to pursue you thinking that you've married me out of pressure or if Aarav thinks that I'm a crazy annoying woman I don't blame them because that's how you've been portraying me. Have you once made me feel important in front of Sheetal? On the contrary you seem to be enjoying every time I'm being mocked by Aarav. I don't blame him though cos he doesn't know anything."

Arnav closed his eyes in frustration as Kushi's words echoed in his mind. Unintentionally he and his family are also a part of this cheap act of Sheetal. He failed to show her his love for Kushi. He has failed his Kushi. He hated himself for making Kushi go through this for the past few days. Not anymore.

A: I would like to make a few things clear to you. I love my Kushi more than anything and anyone in this world. First get that straight. We had a love marriage not arranged marriage. And pls don't compare yourself with my Kushi. Never in her life will she try to act cheap like you. She maybe innocent but she's not a fool. Even after knowing you were my Ex she asked you to stay here till you get accommodation because she doesn't like anyone suffer. She is always helpful and the most selfless person I've ever seen. I'm proud that she's my wife and I'm not ashamed of it. And what did you say that she doesn't deserve me? It's me who doesn't deserve her unconditional love. My family and I are ashamed of ourselves to have become a pawn in your plan. I'm giving you one last chance for old time's sake. Just get the hell out of here. I shouldn't see you in my vicinity in next 5 mins. If I come to know that you're trying to do something dirty or spoiling my wife's mind that will be the end of you beware. Saying this he went inside his room. All the family members stood there speechless. They were ashamed of themselves and apologized to Kushi for behaving like that without thinking of the hurt it has cost her.

Nani: sorry Kushi bitya for hurting you by comparing chotte and that Aarav.

An: sorry Kushi we dint do it wontedly

M: hello hi bye bye phatti sadi I mean Kushi bitya I'm also sorry

Ak: sorry Kushi

N.k: Kushiji I'm really sorry pls forgive me. I can't believe I was flirting with that witch all these days

Pa: sorry Kushi even I dint understand your pain

K: pls you all don't have to apologize it's not any of your faults. We dint know her real intentions. Thank god the truth is out and she's out of our lives.

After sometime Sheetal and Aarav had left the house and Arnav came down.

A: I want all of you to assemble in the living room we have lots of things to discuss.

An: what is it chotte?

A: I will let you all know di you all pls assemble in the living room. Payal can you call buaji and ask amma, babuji and buaji to get ready?

Payal dint know why he asked her to do so but nodded and call them nevertheless

A: Akash can you pls go and bring them here from lakshmi nagar?

Ak: sure bhai

After sometime the Gupta family reached Shantivan. Everyone was clueless as to what is happening.

Kushi looked at him questioningly for which he just blinked assuring he'll let her know.

A: ok everyone must be wondering why I have called you all here. We have to finish a talk that is overdue from a long time.

Everyone looked at each other's faces wondering what he wanted to talk about. Kushi got an idea of what he's going to talk and just nodded her head in negative as if motioning him not to tell anyone. But Arnav just assures her through his eyes that everything will be fine.

He clears his throat to get everyone's attention and starts speaking.

A: I would like to talk about my first marriage with Kushi'

Buaji intervenes him and says

Bu: babua what's the need to talk about it now it's over and everything is fine now isn't it?

A: no buaji pls listen to me carefully its necessary to talk about it. You all know that Kushi and I married hurriedly during Akash and Payal wedding

Nani: ya chotte you told it was necessary to bring her to this house after you came back from the kidnap.

Now the Guptas were shocked at the new revelation. They had no idea about the kidnapping fiasco
A: looking at the Guptas I'll explain about it later. Ok I want to tell you why I married her that day.

It was on the day of Payal and Akash's wedding I realized my feelings for Kushi. I was going to propose to her when I saw Shyam hugging her and telling her that he doesn't love di and loves only Kushi. I heard Kushi asking him to leave di if the relationship means nothing to him. Unfortunately I left from there instead of listening to the full conversation. That was my first mistake. After that when I confronted Shyam he said he and Kushi loves each other and the only obstacle is di. I got so angry that I dint know what to do. My second mistake was that I believed Shyam. After that when Kushi came to tell about it I ignored her. Then I went to di to tell about this but she fainted. After that she told me she was pregnant and she was so happy. I couldn't snatch away her happiness. So I blackmailed Kushi saying she has to marry me for 6 months or else I will stop Payal and Akash's marriage. I dint even tell her the reason for the marriage. I never even told her the reason for this sudden marriage. The truth is that I was afraid to confront her. Deep down I knew Kushi would never do something like this but my mind kept replaying the hug and I was clouded by anger cos same day both me and my sister had lost their love. Even though I convinced myself saying I married her only for di it was not the case. I wanted Kushi for myself and I couldn't see her with someone else. After that I tortured her physically and mentally. I made her sleep in the poolside, insulted her, and manhandled her and what not. But she still dint let anyone know what she was going through. Even after telling the reason for the marriage I was not ready to accept her side of story. After all I did she still came to save me risking her life. That day if she had not been there I would've been no more.

After hearing the story everyone including Arnav had tears in their eyes. They had no idea she had to go through so much without anyone to share her pain. They all felt ashamed of themselves for hurting her. The Guptas and Payal had no words. She had done it for them still they had insulted her doubting her intentions.

A: except Nani and N.K I want everyone else to apologize to her for hurting her. I guess excluding Babuji only Nani and N.K have not hurt her

Everyone apologized to Kushi for their behavior. Even Mami apologized genuinely as she understood her good nature.

Kushi looked at her Arnavji who has given her dignity back and gave a watery smile. Arnav just smiled back at her.

A: ok I think it's enough for today I have a few more things to discuss which we can do tomorrow as I know everyone will be drained out emotionally with all the revelations. Buaji you all can stay here today as we've few more things to discuss tomorrow.

Everyone agreed and went to their respective rooms including Arnav and Kushi.

K: thank you Arnavji. I know it takes so much gut to accept ones mistake and make amends. You revealed everything even after knowing you will get a bad name. She hugged him emotionally.

A: hugging her, no Kushi its nothing. I should've done this long back ok come lets sleep it's been long day.