It All Started With 300 Rupees The Tareekh... Note ***Page 116*** - Page 28

It all started with 300 Rupees 34

B

She continued staring at Taarikh….

She finally looked up and roamed her eyes around the room…..

The room was filled with a strange fragrance…..

A combination of rose fragrance and his musky presence….

Turning it into something very soothing…

For almost all her senses…..

She still held that note and that red rose….

While sitting quietly on her bed….

Amidst roses…..

A room decorated by her husband.

All this, why?

Her eyes continued moving from one corner to other….

Admiring the color….

And wondering at the same time…

Her eyes landed on the boxes sitting on her bed. She extended her hand to touch them….

But instantly retrieved it back….

Unsure about what she wanted to do.

She read the card again…..

What was he planning? And why? Why tonight?

Why wasn't he there?

With her.

At home.

Taarikh.

Why did he write that?

Why did he even remember that?

When I myself don't want to remember all that…

Why?

Arnav Ji. Why are you doing all this?

Her jumbled thoughts broke by the knock on the door. She looked up and said "come in….."

Naina walked in and looked around….

With clear awe on her face…

"Wow Khushi, this is SO pretty!" She almost screamed.

"Why are you so excited, didn't you see it before?" She questioned her…

"No I didn't, your husband's clear instructions were – I want Khushi to see the room first….." While saying that she walked around admiring the whole room.

"You are so lucky Khushi. This is just beautiful. Absolutely beautiful." She exclaimed again.

"Yeah!" Came the reply to such excitement…..

She walked to Khushi and sat beside and her and inquired "what's wrong? You didn't like it?"

Khushi looked at her and said "I like it."

"That's it? You like it? You know how much effort he put into this? He did this all by himself. None of those flower shop people were allowed in…..and you just like it? What is wrong with you?" She almost got angry at her.

"He did it all by himself? All of it?" She asked with curiosity.

"YES. All by himself. He didn't even take my help…….he said something about doing it for you on New Year's Eve…..or something……..he didn't say much, not to me at least……but he spent so many hours doing this……and you…..you……look at this room……you just like it?" She snapped again.

"It's beautiful Naina, I know……" Before she could complete her sentence, the doorbell rang.

Naina walked out to check who it was while she couldn't believe he did all that himself.

For her.

She reached those boxes again. She un-wrapped the first box…..

She was about to lift the cover when Naina entered again…

"It was Mr. Raizada's driver, he just wanted to let you know he was downstairs waiting for you….and you have exactly until 8:00 to leave in order to make it on time…..he didn't tell me where you are going….he just asked me to let you that he is downstairs…waiting….Ha! I am so excited…..where are you going? To Karan's party?"

"I don't know. He didn't tell me anything. I am as clueless." Replied Khushi.

"What's in the box?" Naina asked while looking around the bed….

"I haven't checked it yet……"

"Alright, you check your boxes, I will run up and check on Aashna really quick…..okay?" She got up and walked outside leaving her with her gifts and roses…

She was still holding the box, still unsure if she actually wanted to open it and see it or not…

Love only means one thing to me – you!

Her contemplations gave in and she lifted the cover…..

Part C Continues….

It all started with 300 Rupees 34

C

She smiled.

Of course. She should have known. Her smile widened….

She touched it.

Feeling the soft fabric of that Sari.

A red one.

With black polka dots….

No embroidery.

None.

Just fabric.

Softest drapery ever.

It almost reminded her of his touch – always so gentle to her skin….

Yet, sensational……

She picked it up and held it carefully.

Her husband's present.

"Khushi…" She looked up to see Naina…

"Aashna is too busy playing, she sent me back…..did you check the box? Ahh – is that a Sari? That's so pretty….."

"Yes, it is……here……" She handed it to Naina…

"It's so pretty Khushi…..are you going to wear it tonight? Your husband is so romantic…..I am so jealous. This is beautiful. Is red your favorite color?" She asked looking around the room and the Sari…

Khushi smiled and replied, "no."

"Then why all the reds….?" She asked again…

"Red is his favorite color. Not mine." She almost laughed saying that….

"His favorite color? Really?" Her voice was filled with confusion.

"So he likes red roses?" She asked again…

"No, that's my favorite…..I like red roses……" She said looking around… Or I used to at least……She thought….

"Oh really? So you both like something red…..." She spoke smiling…

She just smiled reaching the next packet…..

She picked up the black velvet box.

And opened it.

Naina's eyes sparkled ten times more than Khushi's…

"WOW!" Screamed Naina.

"It's gorgeous. So pretty. So…..perfect." Naina went on and on…..

"You will look so pretty in this Khushi……his choice is so classy…….no wonder you are his wife…….you guys look so perfect together……."

She heard the word classy!

I am his wife because I am classy………

Only she knew how she was his wife…..

How she became his wife.

A contract. Not class.

Nor love, neither respect…..

Her trance broke by Naina's voice…..

"I should leave you alone now so you can get ready…..otherwise you will get late……okay?" Naina spoke while handing the box back to her…..

Naina left the room.

She looked at those pair of long glittery black chandelier earrings……

How they went so well with her Sari……

She couldn't deny the fact that she liked it.

All of it.

But why couldn't he just ask her…….

Without Taarikh….

Would I have said 'yes' if he just asked me……

I don't know. She told herself…..

She still wasn't sure if she wanted to be his Taarikh….

She closed her eyes….

And thought…..

About lots of things…

Still unsure if she actually wanted to go or not……

How her life changed every single time he came into her life….

The very first time.

The second time.

The third time.

And the last time.

And again, after three years….

She continued thinking about how every time he came into her life, everything changed…

And last night.

When he asked her to stop him…..

Her eyes gave up and wet her face…..

Making her cheeks burn….

With anger……

At herself.

If she was able to control her life all these years, then why not today?

Why wasn't she able to convince herself?

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even hear Naina come in……

Surprised to see her crying…..

She blurted "Khushi? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

She opened her eyes hearing her voice and quickly wiped her tears…..

"Khushi, what's wrong? You don't want to go?" Naina asked, now worried….

"No….."

Part D Continues…..

It all started with 300 Rupees 34

D

He looked at the time….

There was still little bit time before she might arrive…

He didn't call her. He didn't text her.

All he did was wait for her….

Most of the people had already arrived……

Ready to enjoy the New Year's Eve……

Music.

People.

Drinks.

Food.

Mob of people….

All over the deck…..

Greeting each other…..

Laughing. Smiling. Entertaining.

He looked around but there was no sign of her….

Nowhere.

He turned away from all the celebration…

And he stared at the ocean….

And noticed the beaming moon floating in the ocean…

The moon.

How it was struggling to stay still with the multiple currents…..

While changing its form…

Shape…..

Figure…..

Itself……

According to changing waves….

Moving it from one place to another….

As the tides pleased.

How did he admire the moon so much?

Why?

Then he looked up to see the actual moon….

Which was so still….

So calm….

So serene….

So composed…..

So different……

He sighed.

Then closed his eyes and thought about Khushi….

The familiar similarities between the moon and his transformed wife…..

He looked at the time and realized the ship would depart the port soon….

He stayed still. Ignoring all the people around him.

All the sounds.

Everything.

Few more minutes…..

He gave up. His hands clutched the iron bars he had been holding around the edge of ship…..

He gave another look at the splitting moon…..

And got ready to leave the ship.

The engine was already running…..

He had already heard the honk.

The ship was ready to sail…..

Anytime now….

Without her there…..

Part E Continues…..

It all started with 300 Rupees 34

E

"You don't want to go? Why Khushi?" Asked Naina in confusion…..

"No, that's not it…." Replied Khushi with her quivering voice…..

"Then?" Naina asked again….

"I am so mad……." She announced….

"Mad? At what? At him?" Naina asked in confusion….

"No." That's all she said….

"What? Then who?" She asked again, impatiently….

"Myself!" She finally revealed…..

She sat on the bed while trying to hide another tear threatening to spill…

"What? Angry at yourself? Why?" Asked Naina again….

"Because I actually want to go……I…..I can't believe I want to celebrate New Year's with him…..I want to be with him…..tonight……"

She took a deep breath before continuing again….

"I have never celebrated New Year's since I left him…….three years back and now all of sudden I want to….I don't know why Naina…." Replied her guilty voice…..

"I have never wanted to go any parties, gatherings, weddings…..and now all of sudden I want to….why?"

"It's because you love him Khushi. He is your husband. He wants to be with you. He did all this for you. To make you happy. Anyone would want to go Khushi. He loves you so much. I don't know why you guys were not together for that long…..but…….whatever it was….I am sure it's about time you move on…..it's time you live your life…..with the person you love…..your husband……who loves you as much……that's why you want to go Khushi…..because you love him and you should be with him…..not alone."

She heard what Naina said…

All of it. Then she looked around her room…

Which clearly showed how much he loved her….

How much he wanted to be with her….

On that eve….

A strong smile spread on her lips…..

A smile of relief…..

A smile of liberation….

From all the memories of her past…..

His past…..

Their past……

It seemed to be fading away….

She felt free.

Free from any burden she ever felt in these past few years……

Free from a trapped life…..

Free from her imprisoned heart……

Free from all dreadful memories…..

She knew what she wanted….

She finally knew it was time….

He was waiting for her…

Somewhere…..

And she had to go…..

No.

She wanted to go.

To him.

And she was not going to feel guilty about it……

She would not feel burdened about it…..

She had lived long enough in the past…..

In those wounding memories…..

Now it was time. Naina was right. It was about time…..

She didn't know if she liked the Taarikh…….

But she definitely wanted to be with her husband…..

Tonight.

On New Year's Eve.

Just like she had always wanted….

In all these years when she spent it alone…

She looked around the room again….

To her surprise, suddenly her room just looked more beautiful……

So perfect…..

So romantic…..

She looked at her Sari and said asked "how long do I have to get ready?"

Naina smiled and replied…..

"Not too long, go get ready and look your best…….you should take his breath away……tonight."

Khushi hugged her tight and said "thank you Naina……thanks!"

And that's all she could say…..

Part F Continues….

It all started with 300 Rupees 34

F

Naina walked in to see a whole another person….

Khushi all dressed up….

Smiling.

Radiating.

In that elegant Sari….

That earring….

And other adornments…..

She looked perfect in all that.

And so content.

Glowing like teenagers on their first date….

Naina saw her in awe and said "you look perfect Khushi……"

Khushi walked towards one of the flowers, took it out of the vase and gave it to Naina and said "this is a little thank you for making me realize what I wanted……I appreciate it Naina…."

"You broke your husband's flower? He is going to kill you…..or me….." Laughed Naina while taking the thank you flower….

"He won't. Not for a flower……or anything……I think." Said Khushi while fixing her curls.

"Of course he won't, I know that. He loves you little too much to do that…..Ahhh you are so lucky Khushi…..you have the perfect husband……I want a husband like him too……does he have any brother?" Said Naina casually…..

Even Khushi didn't realize amidst the rush of getting ready that her reply would shock her too….

"Yes, he does have a brother but he is already married to my Ji…….." That's when she realized it was probably the first time she ever mentioned……

No. She didn't want to think about all that right now…..

No more getting upset…..

Naina noticed her face and asked "what happened Khushi?"

"Nothing…..I just wanted to see Aashna and say good night…..when is she coming back?" She quickly changed the subject…..

"Don't worry about her Khushi…..your husband already asked me to watch her tonight and also apologized for staying away from Aashna tonight…..you don't worry, as I told him, it's not like she will be up at mid-night…..you guys have fun…..she will be fine……just enjoy your New Year's Eve Khushi…..with your husband….."

"Thank you Naina…..you are always a life saver…." She couldn't help but think how he already knew she would come…..

Arnav Singh Raizada. How did he always know her, even more than her!

She sighed!

And then smiled….

All ready to be with her husband…..

He looked around and realized….

Another New Year without her…….

How he wished she would come….

He thought about calling her……

Just once.

No. He decided. He wasn't going to force her to come.

She didn't come.

Clearly, she didn't want to come….

Otherwise she would be there.

With him.

On his request….

Oh-well…..

He obviously did not want to be there without her….

Here or there, he just wanted to spend that night with his wife.

Together.

And he prepared himself to leave.

Leave the deck.

Leave the ship.

Leave the party.

Leave the celebration.

Leave the hope….

Part G continues….

It all started with 300 Rupees 34

G

Losing all the hope by the ticking sounds…..

He was about to turn…..

But the sudden gust of wind made him stop…..

The breeze….

A changed one.

Very familiar……

Whispering her arrival…..

And he felt her….

In the air…..

He froze.

She was there.

He knew it.

He could feel her.

He looked at the time…..

And smiled.

She did know how to make him wait with bated breath…..

Till the last second…..

He didn't even have to turn around to check.

He didn't have to physically see her to know she was there….

He sensed her.

And that was more than enough.

The ship departed….

So did his misery……

He stayed put where he was. Too thrilled to compose him…..

And he felt…..

Her hand on his shoulder…….

He turned around……

To see the most mesmerizing view…..

Khushi.

Looking pure ethereal.

All of her…

Celestial.

In that red and black sari.

Beautiful.

The curls slightly touching her face…..

Breathtaking……

Before he could get himself to say something, he heard ear piercing voice….

"AAAHHH KHUSHI?"

He moved his eyes to see who it was….

"I can't believe you are actually here Khushi…..O.M.G." Screamed K. Again.

"I….." Before Khushi could reply properly, she was interrupted again…..

"And I thought you would never come……what happened……how did you change your mind this year?"

Khushi looked at K and then at her husband…..

And replied "I couldn't refuse……not this time….."

Their eyes stayed on each other….

Not bothering about the rest of the world around them….

Until another voice interrupted them…

"Good evening Sir." They all turned to see the new voice….

It was Roshni.

Khushi looked at her, in annoyance.

She had be in that s**tty black dress……

Over revealing from top.

Too short from bottom.

She mentally thanked Naina for sending her here…..

"Ms. Saxena, good evening." He spared a forced smile.

"Oh come on Mr. Raizada, we are not working right now, you can call me Roshni, I won't mind at all….." Announced Ms. Saxena again….

Part H Continues….

It all started with 300 Rupees 34

H

Khushi's eyebrows arched. But it went back to normal when she heard K…

"What's the difference if it's work or party for you Roshni? You are wearing exactly what you would wear in your work hours….."

And she winked at ASR.

Now his eyebrows arched.

She greeted him with handshake and spoke while still holding his and "I was wondering why it got so hot all of sudden……Mr. Hot is here too!?"

And she hugged him…..

Without wasting anymore second…..

While Khushi just stared at him.

At her.

At them.

He pulled away as fast he could…..

K spoke again "Two pleasant surprises in one night…..first Khushi and now you…..I am glad you could make it ASR…..is that why you are here Khushi? Because ASR is here?"

She turned to look at Khushi with a mischievous smirk…..

Khushi looked at K in shock……

"I am just kidding, relax….." Said K.

She finally removed the few feet distance between her and her husband and extended her hand…..

And said "Mr. Raizada……"

He held her hand but instead of the likely shake, he brought her hands up…..

To his lips….

And kissed her hands…..

Right there…..

In front of everyone.

K's eyebrows curved in pure shock.

Roshni's face froze in amazement.

Placing his wet lips on her skin…..

While sucking it a bit…..

With finesse, that no one else could know….

Except her.

Making her flinch…..

Creating havocs inside her….

Making her most inner cells dissolve with those misty lips of her skin……

And said "Khushi!"

That's it.

In that voice of his….

And he let go of her hand…..

Making her shiver with the sudden, unannounced sensual gesture.

She could hardly control her breath now…..

She tried to calm herself and avoided looking at K or anyone else around….

Even him.

Trying to hide her erupting desires from him…..

He continued gazing his beautiful blushing wife…..

While K and Roshni were still shocked.

"K……Raj is looking for you……over……" Khushi turned to see the familiar voice…..

While Karan walked to K but before he could complete his sentence….

He saw Khushi…..

And he just stared at her……

In astonishment…..

"Jalebi?" That's all he said…..

"You are here? How…..I mean…..I am glad you came……..you look……just……so beautiful…….red is definitely your color…….welcome!"

"Thanks Karan. How are you doing? I hope you are enjoying in the middle of entertaining your clients…..and…." He cut her off.

He held her hand said "I have to tell you something important…..alone….let's go" And he just pulled her….

Away from him.

Her husband.

Her possessive husband.

They stood at a distance where he could see them but not hear them…..

Karan had his back towards him….

Khushi could see his facial expressions……

She was staring at him as well, continuously…..

Just like him….

All of sudden, she started watching Karan….

With all her attention.

And then she smiled.

A genuine one.

And then laughed.

Why?

What was going on?

And before he could figure anything out……

Part I Continues…..

It all started with 300 Rupees 34

I

Karan pulled her into a hug without any warning…..

Her.

Khushi.

Karan hugged Khushi.

His wife Khushi…

And she saw her husband's face…..

While Karan was still embracing her…..

He had a strange look on his face.

Transforming all of sudden.

Not anger.

Not jealousy.

Not rage.

But something strange…..

That she couldn't read.

What was he thinking? Why was he looking at her like that? What took his smile away?

Karan shifted back…..

Moving away from her……

In a blink, her husband had disappeared.

He was there, just few seconds ago….

Where did he go?

And why? All of sudden. What happened?

She tried looking around but she couldn't find him.

He wasn't to be seen anywhere.

Nowhere on that deck at least…..

She got nervous now. Worried more so…..

From the sudden vanishing.

Then suddenly her phone beeped. She checked it quickly…

You enjoy the party, I will be back shortly, have some business to take care of – Arnav!

Thank god! There was nothing wrong. She smiled. Finally.

Not too long when she turned to find him once again…..

Before she started mingling with the crowd…..

She was so busy, she didn't even notice those pair of eyes carefully observing her.

He watched her. Silently.

How she was enjoying herself in crowd. Around people. Just the way she always liked. Talking to people. Chatting. Laughing.

Feeling alive in crowd.

Just being herself again.

Even Karan was surprised to see that side of her….

So cheerful. So different.

Even she didn't realize what she was doing….

Or what he was doing….

What he did…..

By inviting her to this party….

She was actually having fun. She was giggling. She was her mischievous self again….

With K. With Karan. With rest of the staff.

And she actually wanted to be there. With everyone. No rush of leaving the party. No excuse to go back home.

No exasperation.

She looked around to find her husband…..

And her eyes landed on him…

How intently he was watching her….

While sipping his drink……

His eyes…..

He was walking across the deck, while sipping his drink….

Without once leaving her sight….

He continued gazing at her…..

Reminding her of his sensual kiss earlier……

She noticed how he was holding that glass…..

And she gulped.

Embarrassing her in front of him….

Forcing him to smirk.

She turned away from his smirking look. Getting mad at her for losing her mind around him….

And she smiled.

Now wanting to be with him….

Alone.

Away from everyone….

Just him and her.

Together.

On this eve.

She was still surrounded by super loud K and many others from their office…..

Karan was too busy meeting and greeting clients….

Her eyes searched for him again…..

When she heard the DJ announce Gentlemen, please find your lady loves and bring them to the floor and dance the night away…..

Part J Continues….

It all started with 300 Rupees 34

J

K spoke "who do you think will ask me to dance with him?"

"That lucky man better be super-hot….." Said K, once again….

Khushi just smiled…..

She was too busy looking for her own Man!

Where was he? Why couldn't she spot him?

Why am I even looking for him? It's not like he will want to dance with me….

Would he? Why not? He did on the award night…

But that's because we were hiding from the Paparazzi….

Not because he wanted to…..

Is that why he disappeared?

Maybe…..

She sighed and just stood there watching anxious K.

Purely disappointed….

Not at him…..

Just at her, for even thinking that he would dance with her…..

But why would he just disappear again? Was there something going on that she wasn't aware of?

What was the reason for his vanishing, over and over again?

Was there something wrong?

Was he…..

That's when she spotted Roshni. She quickly walked to her and asked in haste "Have you seen Mr. Raizada?"

Roshni spared a filthy look on her face and replied "not that it's your business but he is on an important call with someone in his family."

Her body froze.

So did her mind.

Her heart stopped.

Family.

He was talking to someone from his family.

His family.

Why?

Who?

What?

Family?

She couldn't think straight. What was going on?

She didn't even know what she was thinking….

Why she was getting worried……

No, not worried.

Alarmed.

A sudden fear took over her whole body.

What kind of feeling was that?

Why did she feel so tensed?

What was it that she was so afraid of?

Why such uninvited fear?

A fear of losing him…..?

She barely kept her composed.

She didn't know what she was thinking, why?

She was lost in her terrified thoughts when she felt something…..

On her bare waist…..

Making her twitch….

By the sudden touch….

Part K Continues….

It all started with 300 Rupees 34

K

His touch.

And she saw him, standing right next to her….

While his arm rested around her waist, leisurely….

And she heard "I hope I am not disturbing anything……"

But came no reply from his wife.

"Dance?" That's all he said and forwarded his available hand and waited for her hand to join in…

She was surprised.

Happy.

Shocked.

Satisfied.

He did want to dance with her…..

She wasted no time in placing her hand on his…..

She couldn't let him vanish again…..

Not again.

For no one.

Not even….

"Excuse us K….." that's all he said and led his wife towards the dance floor…..

Still resting his hand on her waist…..

Without worrying about others noticing them….

He found a safe spot….

Slightly away from the crowd……

To be able to be with her, just his wife…..

Without any interruptions…..

And he pressed his palm on her waist……

Pulling her closer…..

Making sure his entire self was touching her…..

Leaving her in shock again…..

Yet again…….

"I have never seen someone more beautiful….." he whispered around her neck……

And let her feel his warm breath…..

On her already desperate skin…….

Then he moved little away from her……

And admired her beauty again…..

He noticed her eyes….

He asked her "tell me…."

She instantly replied "what?"

"Whatever you want to tell me….." He answered while moving that strand of hair……

"I……I didn't know……where……did you……" She stopped.

"Where I?" His hand gently moved upwards….

Gently stroking her bare skin….

Around her black blouse….

Making her shudder again….

With his sensational touch…..

Her back arched……

And her breathing increased……

"Where…….where…." She tried speaking….

"Where…?" He asked again while his thumb caressed her nape…..

Making her forget any remaining words….

Or senses….

All over again…..

Her chest heaved……

Remarkably.

She tried to look away….

Trying very hard to control her from giving in…..

Right there…..

In front of everyone……

He carefully took her hand and placed her palm somewhere on his chest…..

And whispered softly while kissing her earlobe "do you want to…..?"

She stared at him….

Almost startled by his inappropriate question…

At this place.

She finally spoke in her stuttering voice "what…what are you talking about….?"

He smirked and then placed both his hands on either side of her bare waist……

And pulled her in with absolute no space between….

And replied in his oh-so lethal voice….

"Dance?"

She slapped his chest…..

Letting him know she knew exactly what he meant……

She didn't know if she should ask him….

About the phone call…..

What if he didn't want to tell her….?

What if she didn't want to know…..?

Part L Continues….